298 The Environment
Kong, provides astronomical information, maintains a seismological monitoring network and operates the tsunami warning system in Hong Kong.
The Observatory issues weather forecasts and warnings of hazardous weather to the public, mariners, the aviation community as well as special users such as container terminals and transport operators. Whenever Hong Kong is threatened by tropical cyclones, warnings are widely disseminated through the mass media. A colour-coded rainstorm warning system warns people of heavy rain. The Observatory also issues warnings on thunderstorms, landslips, fire danger, strong monsoon, cold and very hot weather as well as frost. This year, the Observatory commenced issuing ultraviolet (UV) index forecasts to enable members of the public to consider appropriate protective measures against the harm from UV radiation during outdoor activities.
Objective guidance for the issuance of rainstorm and landslip warnings is provided by a computer-based Nowcasting System developed by the Observatory itself. This system automatically analyses radar and raingauge data and forecasts the rainfall distribution within the territory in the few hours that follow. Under the World Weather Research Programme of the World Meteorological Organisation, the system was selected as one of the very short range forecasting systems for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Forecast Demonstration Project.
To support the 2008 Olympic equestrian event in Hong Kong, the Observatory has developed a measuring system to monitor a horse's heat stress. The system started collecting climatological data at the competition venues in June.
The Observatory's meteorologists host regular TV and radio weather programmes, and conduct media briefings in case of adverse weather. Weather information is also disseminated through the Observatory's website and its automatic Dial-a-Weather System. The Observatory's website continues to be one of the most popular government websites, with 918 million page hits in 2006, an increase of 75 per cent compared with 2005.
To promote public education and awareness about hazardous weather, the Observatory continues to organise a programme of meteorological courses for members of the public and government personnel, exhibitions, scientific lectures, Open Days and guided tours of the Observatory, with a total of about 20 000 participants.
The Observatory's Airport Meteorological Office (AMO) is responsible for the provision of weather services at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and for the Hong Kong Flight Information Region. About 142 000 flight documents were provided by the AMO for aircraft departing the HKIA, an increase of 7.5 per cent compared with 2005.
Radiation Measurement and Assessment
The Observatory operates a network of 10 radiation monitoring stations to continuously monitor the ambient radiation levels in Hong Kong and conducts radiological measurements on samples of air, soil, water and food.
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