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TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARIES FOR 1973
During the year 22 tropical cyclones were detected in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea, of which 11 attained typhoon intensity. Seven tropical cyclones crossed the coast of China and eight entered the east coast of Vietnam. However, only two tropical cyclones crossed the Philippines and one passed over Japan. One tropical cyclone affected Korea and another one dissipated over the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. The monthly distribution of these tropical cyclones is shown in Figure I and a brief summary of their tracks is contained in Table 1.
Five tropical cyclones entered Hong Kong's Area of Responsibility for Tropical Cyclone Warnings for Shipping while another 12 developed within this area. Altogether 370 Warnings for Shipping were issued on I 7 tropical cyclones by the Royal Observatory, Hong Kong. Nine tropical cyclones necessitated the display of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals in Hong Kong, only Typhoon 'Dot' came sufficiently close to cause gales and damage in the Colony.
In the first six months of the year there were no tropical cyclones reported in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea. This is the fourth occasion since 1884 when tropical cyclones were completely absent over the region; the other three occurred in 1889, 1897 and 1917.
Six tropical cyclones were observed in July but only two affected the Colony. The first tropical cyclone for the year was Tropical Storm 'Wilda' which passed about 200 miles east of Hong Kong on July 3. Typhoon 'Dot' formed in the South China Sea on July 14 and passed about 12 miles to the east of the Royal Observatory early on July 17. Gales and heavy showers were experienced in the Colony and some flooding was also reported in low-lying areas. Tropical Storm 'Fran' formed to the northeast of north Luzon and dissipated south of the Ryukyu Islands. Typhoon 'Anita' developed over the southern part of the South China Sea and degenerated into a low pressure area over North Vietnam. Typhoon 'Billie' originated to the east of the Philippines and entered the Gulf of Pohai after crossing the Ryukyu Islands. Typhoon 'Ellen' developed to the northwest of the Mariana Islands and moved north to hit Japan.
In August, seven tropical cyclones were reported in the area. Typhoon 'Georgia', Tropical Storms 'Joan' and 'Kate' all passed to the south of Hong Kong and caused periods of strong winds and heavy rain over the Colony. A weak tropical depression formed to the southwest of Hong Kong and moved westwards, dissipating over North Vietnam. Typhoon 'Iris' developed to the southeast of the Ryukyu Islands and recurved northwards to land in North Korea. Tropical Depression 'Hope' and another weak tropical depression formed in the western North Pacific near the Ogasawara Islands and dissipated to the east and southeast of Japan respectively.
Typhoon 'Marge' and Severe Tropical Storm 'Louise' were the only two tropical cyclones in the area during September. They formed in the vicinity of north Luzon and moved westwards across the South China Sea, dissipating over North Vietnam.
Four typhoons were observed in October; one formed near Nansha in the southern part of the South China Sea, while the other three originated near the Caroline Islands. Only Typhoons 'Nora' and 'Ruth' came within 350 miles to affect the Colony. The other two typhoons, 'Opal' and 'Patsy' entered the coast of South Vietnam near Danang.
Three tropical cyclones were reported in November. Both Tropical Storms 'Sarah' and 'Thelma' formed near the South Vietnam coast. The former dissipated over South Vietnam shortly after formation while the latter entered the Gulf of Siam and filled over the northern part of Malay Peninsula. Severe Tropical Storm 'Vera' originated near the southeast coast of the Philippines and degenerated into an area of low pressure near the Paracel Islands.
No tropical cyclones were reported in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in December