XN000022-1996-11-13 — Page 7

- 6 -

On October 8, a cold front crossed the South China coast early in the morning. The northerlies behind the cold front brought slightly cooler weather and some showers to the territory. Generally fine weather returned and persisted for the next few days.

An area of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea enhanced the Northeast monsoon over southern China and brought cloudy weather and light rain to the territory on October 14 and 15. It turned sunny on October 16 and remained fine for the next couple of days.

Typhoon Beth entered the South China Sea on October 18. As it edged closer to Hong Kong, the combined effect of Beth and a strengthening monsoon resulted in strong winds offshore and over high grounds. Under the influence of the outer rainbands of Beth, it was rainy on October 20 and temperatures fell to 20.5 degrees, the lowest in the month. As Beth weakened and drifted away, the weather improved on October 21 and it was fine from October 22 to 25.

On October 26, winds freshened from the north bringing cool and dry weather. Winds turned easterly on October 27 and generally fine weather prevailed until the end of the month.

Five tropical cyclones occurred in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the month. Details of the issuance/hoisting and cancellation/lowering of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of October are tabulated in Table

1.2.

Warnings/Signals

Table 1.1 Warnings and Signals in October 1996

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Warning Signal

Effective date and time

Name of TC

Signal No.

Beth

1

19 Oct 1145 - 20 Oct 1400

Fire Danger Warnings

Yellow

Yellow

Red

12 Oct 0630 13 Oct 1730

-

19 Oct 0600 - 20 Oct 1640

25 Oct 1100 - 27 Oct 1800