639544-1896-Meteorological-Observations- — Page 3

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH JULY, 1896.

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which was steering towards Hongkong, the wind rose to a fresh gale from ESE during the evening, the barometer falling to 29.68. Generally the observations indicate that the disturbance had com- menced to move in a N direction during the evening of this day.

On the 8th the northern depression was situated in the N part of the Sea of Japan. The barometer had fallen much in Japan but was rising at Shanghai. On the S and SE coasts of China pressure had decreased quickly and the barometer was also inclined to fall again at Bolinao. Light airs and breezes chiefly from S prevailed at this station. Except at Swatow, where a moderate E breeze blew at midday, winds were light chiefly from an E and S direction between Hongkong and Foochow, but a report kindly furnished by Mr. A. W. BAIN shows that strong S winds blew at Anping (S. Formosa) during the day with a tremendous sea on the bar. From observations made on board the ship Conqueror and the S.S. Oanfa we see that the centre of the depression was probably situated near the position 20°, 117 at noon. The former vessel was situated in 19° 31′, 115° 51', at this hour. During the morning hours they had experienced a strong E backing to NE gale with very heavy sea and hard rain squalls. The barometer read 29.52 at 3 a. Towards 8 a. the wind had backed to N.W and the weather cleared up, the barometer having risen to 29.64 at noon. At 4 p. the wind was from W of force 4. The Oanfa steering SSW and in 21° 12′, 116 13′ at noon. barometer 29.69, had moderate breezes from ESE at 8 a., from NE at noon and from Wat 4 p. The weather was squally Moderate S and SW breezes blew off the Annam and Cochin and a rough S swell was felt at 8 a.

China coasts, the barometer reading 29.81 in 14°, 110°.

These observations show that the depression had completely recurved between the 7th and 8th and also indicate that the area of strong winds was exceedingly small. The depression would seem to have moved towards S. Formosa. At Anping the wind changed to NE during the evening, and Mr. BAIN's observations show that the barometer fell 0.1 inch between 8 p. and midnight. S.S. Kalgan, which had left Anping at midday for shelter at the Pescadores, experienced a NNW veering to NE gale at Makung harbour with lowest barometer near 2 a of the 9th.

The

The observations, however, are insufficient to say whether the disturbance passed out into the Pacific by S. Formosa or whether it became diffused and existed next day, the 9th, as a diffused disturbance lying about the S. entrance to the Formosa Channel. On the 9th the barometer remained low along the S coast of China and in the Formosa Channel, winds being moderate from SW in the neighbourhood of Hongkong and from E at the Channel stations and the weather generally squally with thunderstorms.

On the 25th at 11.30 a., "A well-marked fall of the barometer has occurred in Luzon and a slight fall on the China Coast. Pressure is now rather above the normal at Shanghai, and about 0.1 inch in defect in Luzon and, apparently, over the middle part of the China Sea.' Forecast:--"light or moderate SE winds; squally with thunder showers."

“Pressure remains somewhat low over the middle part of the China Sea, with scarcely any change in the height of the barometer either in Luzon or on the S. coast of China." Forecast:-"light or moderate SE winds; squally and showery."

On the 26th at 11.25 a.,

On the 27th at 11.20 a.,

"The barometer has risen on the China Coast and at Bolinao, but at Forecast:--fresh to Haiphong there is no change. Pressure appears to be low near S. Hainan." moderate SE winds; squally and showery to fair.”

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On the 27th at 4.50 p. Bad weather prevails between Annam and Hainan." On the 28th at 11.25 a. "The barometer has risen around the China Sea, fallen at Shanghai. Pressure, however, is still low about the S. part of the Tongking Gulf.” Forecast:-"fresh or moderate SE to S winds; squally and showery, but fine at intervals. Strong SW and S winds off the Annam and Hainan

coasts.'

The slightly low pressure indicated in the foregoing remarks existed on the 25th as a trough between SW and NE winds lying across the China Sea in about 14°1⁄2 Lat.. On the 26th the trough was in a somewhat higher latitude, viz., 15. On the 27th pressure had increased on the China coast and in Luzon, the lowest pressure extending from the Paracels into Tongking. The isobars were now closed on the Eastern side of this low pressure and two or three vessels experienced strong breezes to fresh gales from SE off the coast of Hainan, fresh SW winds prevailing off the Annam coast. On the 28th pressure had increased at Haiphong, although it seems to have been still some- what defective in southern Tongking, but on the 29th conditions were again normal. The high pressure area to the E of Formosa had spread Westward during these days.

Hongkong Observatory, 10th July, 1896.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 273. The following Returns of Deaths are published.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 11th July, 1896.

W. DOBERCK, Director.

J. II. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.