ENG-1957 — Page 380

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

The total of 2,950.3 mm. (116.15 inches) of rain was 797.5 mm. (31.40 inches) above normal and was exceeded on only two previous occasions (1889 and 1891) since observa- tions began at the Observatory in 1884.

At the beginning of the year the weather was dry and relatively warm, but on 11th February a new record for the minimum temperature for the month was set when an intense cold surge from the north caused the temperature to fall from 50.1°F to 36.3°F. The mean temperature for the month was also the lowest on record since 1897. During March and April warm humid air reached the Colony from the Pacific giving rise to several short spells of fog and low cloud. A total of 894.2 mm. (35.20 inches) of rain was recorded in May, which was more than three times the normal amount for the month. During this month there were only eight days com- pletely free from rain, and the heavy downpours which occurred on the 17th, 21st and 22nd caused several landslides and serious flooding in the Colony. However, the dis- tribution of rainfall was very irregular. Beacon Hill, which is only four miles to the north-west of the Observatory, received 716.5 mm. (28.21 inches) of rain on the 21st, and this was five times the amount recorded at the Observatory on the same day. From June onwards the south-west mon- soon became established and weather was generally hot and showery. The hottest day of the year occurred on 14th August when a maximum temperature of 93.5°F was record- ed. By early October the winter monsoon began to set in and fine dry weather prevailed until the end of the year.

On 22nd September typhoon Gloria passed about 30 miles to the south-west of the Colony causing heavy rainfall and high winds. The Observatory recorded gales for fourteen hours, winds of hurricane force for nearly one hour, and a peak gust of 101 knots. The gales lasted longer in other parts of the Colony and there was widespread damage.

GEOLOGY

Hong Kong Island and the New Territories consist of