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HONG KONG STORM SIGNAL CODES
Storm Warnings are issued by the Royal Observatory, Hongkong, by means of Local and Nen-Local Storm Signal Codes. The Local Code is as follows:-
Recommended for use in the Far East at a Conference of Directors of Far Eastern Weather Services, held at Hongkong in the year 1930.
Adopted at Hongkong from 1931, March 1.
Signal. Symbol.
DAY SIGNALS.
Meaning.
1 TA depression or typhoon exists which may possibly affect the locality.
2
3
or 4 40 N
Strong wind with squalls may possibly occur from the S. W. (S-W). Strong wind with squalls may possibly occur from the S.E. (E-S.) Typhoon dangerous but danger to locality not imminent.
Gale expected from the N.W. (W-N).
5
6
∞ -J
7
Gale expected from the S.W. (S-W). Gale expected from the N.E. (N-E).
8
9
10
—
Gale expected from the S.E.
Gale expected to increase.
(E-S).
Wind of typhoon force expected (any direction).
Signal No. 4 will be used in the Philippines, but not at Hongkong, the information it conveys being given by the Non-Local Signals,
Signals 5 to 8 are not hoisted until it is tolerably certain that a gale (40-45 m.p.h. by the Dines Anemometer) will occur at Hongkong or Gap Rock, or when a typhoon is sufficiently near to warrant a danger signal, although
he occurrence of a gale is by no means certain.
If, with one of signals 5 to 8 hoisted, conditions indicate that the wind will not only increase but attain hurricane force, signal No. 9 may be dispensed with, thus giving the longest possible warning of destructive winds.
Signal No. 10 will be accompanied by three explosive bombs, fired at intervals of 10 seconds at the Water Police Station and repeated at the Harbour Office.
When the centre of a typhoon passes over the locality the wind decreases rapidly to a calm, or nearly calm, and blows violently from the opposite direction when the centre has passed.
The signal will be lowered when it is considered that all danger is over,
The Day Signals will be displayed on the Radio mast at the Royal Observatory, at the Harbour Office, H.M.S. Tamar, Green Island, Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., the Standard Oil Co. at Lai-chi-kok, the 'flagstaff near the Field Officer's Quarters at Lyemun, Gough Hill Police Station and Taipo (District Officer's flagstaff), NIGHT SIGNALS (Lamps).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
10
WHITE WHITE
WHITE GREEN
GREEN WHITE WHITE WHITE GREEN RED
WHITE GREEN GREEN GREEN WHITE GREEN GREEN WHITE WHITE
WHITE GREEN WHITE GREEN GREEN GREEN GREEN RED
RED
WHITE WHITE
The Night Signals will be displayed, at sunset, on the Radio mast at the Royal Observatory, on the tower of the Railway Station, H.M.S. Tamar, the Harbour Office, on the flagstaff near the Field Officer's Quarters at Lyemun, Kowloon City Police Station, and at Gough Hill Police Station. They will have the same signification as the day signals.
Signal No. 10 will be accompanied by explosive bombs as above, in the event of the information conveyed by this signal being first published at night.
SUPPLEMENTARY
WARNINGS.
When Local Signals are displayed in the Harbour, signals will be displayed as follows :-
When No. 1 Signal is displayed in the Harbour.
Red T by day.
2 Red Lights vertical by night
When Signals Nos. 5 to 10 are displayed in the Harbour.
Black Cone by day,
2 Green Lights verical by night.
These Signals will be displayed at the following Stations :-
Aberdeen
Cheung Chow
Gap Rock
Ping Shan
Stanley Shaukiwan
Saikung Shataukok
Tsun Wan Tai O
| Waglan
Further details can always be given to ocean vessels, on demand, by signal from Lighthouses, or by wireless telegraphy.
The object of the code is to give at least 24 hours warning of a gale (Force 8 by Beaufort Scale, or 40-45 m.p.h., mean velocity by Dines Anemometer) and »lso warnings of expected changes in the direction and force of the wind. Owing however to the uncertain movements of typhoons and to insufficient telegraphic observations, it will occasionally happen that signals 6 to 8 may be displayed without a gale occurring at Hongkong, or even Gap Rock, but the reverse is not likely to happen, except in the case of typhoons forming in the vicinity and travelling rapidly towards Hongkong, or should the direction of motion of a located typhoon alter, or its rate of progression increase, abnormally,
Signal No. 1 is intended as a warning to "Stand By" and watch for the next signal. When it is hoisted after one of Nos. 5 to 8 has been displayed it will mean that, on account of a change in the track of the typhoon, or for some other reason, a gale is no longer expected from the direction indicated by the last signal, and that another black signal may possibly be hoisted later.
NON-LOCAL SIGNALS,
The Non-Local Code of Storm Signals gives the latitude and longitude of the storm centre, its direction of motion, and a signal indicating the degree of accuracy with which it is believed the position of the centre has been located. A signal giving the time at which the warning was issued is hoisted at the inast-head.
Copies of the code may be obtained on application to the Observatory.
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