The Environment ❘ 311
High-resolution numerical weather prediction models operated by the Observatory as well as those of meteorological centres overseas also provides objective guidance for the formulation of weather forecasts up to seven days ahead.
The Observatory's meteorologists host regular TV and radio weather programmes and conduct media briefings in the event of adverse weather. Weather information is also disseminated through the Observatory's website and its automatic Dial-a-Weather System. In 2005, the website was enhanced to include real-time weather images of popular tourist spots, more weather charts generated by the Observatory's numerical model and a wider range of satellite images. The Observatory's website continues to be one of the most popular government websites with about 520 million page hits in 2005, an increase of over 40 per cent compared with 2004.
The Observatory's outreach programme to promote preparedness against hazardous weather was expanded during the year, with new elements like talks to employees in weather-sensitive industries and campaigns run in collaboration with non-governmental organisations for the general public. It also joined forces with Radio Television Hong Kong to produce an award-winning eight-episode TV series, Meteorology Series III, on preparedness for natural disasters.
The Observatory's Airport Meteorological Office is responsible for the provision of weather services at the Hong Kong International Airport and for civil aviation for a designated airspace over the northern part of the South China Sea. In 2005, windshear alerts based on the infrared Doppler Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system were automatically generated using techniques and software developed by the Observatory, making the alerts more timely and effective.
In November, the Observatory hosted a World Meteorological Organisation Seminar on Quality Management in the Provision of Meteorological Services to Aviation for 37 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. The Observatory experts who lectured at the seminar used as illustration the ISO 9001 certified weather service which the Observatory provides to the aviation community at the airport.
Radiation Measurement and Assessment
The Observatory operates a network of 10 radiation monitoring stations to continuously monitor radiation levels in Hong Kong. Samples of air, water, soil and food are collected and measured for radiation regularly.
In the event of a nuclear emergency, the Observatory will immediately intensify radiation monitoring, assess the radiological consequences and provide technical advice to the relevant policy bureaux on the appropriate protective action to take.
Climatological, Oceanographic and Geophysical Services
The Hong Kong Observatory provides climatological information to meet the needs of a wide range of users and activities from recreation through to engineering design, environmental impact analysis and litigation. It also provides short-range
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