ENG-1970 — Page 284

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

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On August 30, a trough associated with typhoon Billie developed over the south China coast and caused widespread showers and thunderstorms over the Colony on the last day of the month.

September was wetter and less sunny than normal. The total rainfall for the month was 509.6 mm which is the tenth highest on record. On September 4, two tropical storms, Ellen and Fran, formed near the Ryukyu Islands. Two days later Ellen was absorbed into the circulation of Fran and crossed the coast of east China late on September 7. In Hong Kong persistent rain was recorded for the next three days and was heaviest on September 9.

Typhoon Georgia developed over the western Pacific on September 8. It passed about 60 miles east of the Royal Observatory on Septem- ber 14. Gale force winds were experienced in exposed places but there was very little rain in Hong Kong,

Early on September 16 a rainstorm occurred in the Tai Po area. Several hundred acres of farm land were flooded. Nearly 200 mm of rainfall were recorded at Tai Po Tau Treatment Works between 4 p.m. on September 15 and 9 a.m. on September 16. An early winter surge occurred on September 27. Temperatures dropped sharply and the minimum temperature of 19.3°C recorded on September 30 was the lowest September temperature since 1935.

A succession of tropical cyclones crossed the South China Sea during October and as a result the month was the cloudiest October since 1909 with the least sunshine of any October on record. Typhoon Iris formed near the Paracel Islands on October 4 and began to move directly towards Hong Kong. However it turned towards the east- north-east and dissipated near Pratas Island on October 8.

Typhoon Joan was a relatively large typhoon. It formed over the Pacific on October 10 and moved west-north-westwards. The centre crossed Luzon, passing very near Manila on October 14. It caused a tidal wave, widespread damage and more than 500 fatalities. Joan moved north-westwards and eventually weakened near Hainan Island on October 17 and dissipated over the mainland the next day. Typhoon Joan caused strong winds and 89.5 mm of rainfall in Hong Kong on October 16 and 17.

Typhoon Kate developed over the Pacific on October 15 and crossed the southern Philippines on a west-north-westerly track on