THE ENVIRONMENT
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The observatory participated actively in the Global Weather Experiment, organised by the World Meteorological Organisation, which was held from December 1, 1978, to November 30, 1979. Special radiosonde ascents were made on board a naval vessel in February, 1979, and on board m.v. Taipoosek in the South China Sea in May and June, 1979. The observatory also served as a data centre for ship weather reports in the Winter Monsoon Experiment, which was a regional sub-programme of the Global Weather Experiment. Data obtained in these experiments will be used in future research work, with a view to gaining a better understanding of the causes and predictability of weather.
The observatory is involved in numerical modelling by computer of storm surges – storm- induced high sea levels which occur during tropical cyclone passages. The findings are used to optimise design levels for many civil engineering projects, including sea-walls and the drainage of various reclamation sites. During 1979, computations were carried out for 10 projects, including the proposed power stations at Tap Shek Kok in Castle Peak, and Po Lo Tsui on Lamma Island.
Objective techniques to forecast tropical cyclone movements were refined during the year. A study was also carried out to evaluate similar objective forecast techniques in this region under the auspices of an international typhoon committee.
In addition, a study into wind shear conditions at Hong Kong International Airport based on aircraft reports and data from the special network of anemometers was completed.
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