Attachments
TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARIES FOR 1976
A total of twenty-seven tropical cyclones was reported over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the year 1976, and fourteen attained typhoon intensity. Of the five tropical cyclones which crossed the coast of China, one passed over Taiwan. Four tropical cyclones crossed the Philippines but none moved westwards across the South China Sea to affect Vietnam. Four tropical cyclones struck Japan while one skirted the southern coast of Korea. The monthly distribution of these tropical cyclones is shown in Figure 1 and a brief summary of their tracks is contained in Table 1. The monthly mean frequency of occurrence of tropical cyclones during the past thirty years 1947-1976 is given in Figure 2 for comparison.
During the year, there were less tropical cyclones than usual that passed within Hong Kong's area of responsibility for tropical cyclone warnings for shipping (i.e., the area bounded by l0°N, 30°N, 105°E and 125°E}. Seven tropical cyclones entered this area while another three developed in it. Altogether 225 warnings for shipping were issued by the Royal Observatory, Hong Kong to warn these ten tropical cyclones. Two typhoons, two severe tropical storms and one tropical storm affected Hong Kong and resulted in the display of tropical cyclone warning signals. The total rainfall associated with tropical cyclones passing within 300 miles of Hong Kong during the year amounted to 1133.8 mm which was double the average figure and represented more than half of the annual total of 2197.2 mm. It was also the fourth consecutive year that Hong Kong has had an above average tropical cyclone rainfall. The wettest tropical cyclone was Tropical Storm Ellen in August, which brought a total rainfall of 516. l mm to Hong Kong, the fourth highest on record since 1884for any individual tropical cyclone. The driest tropical cyclone was Typhoon Ruby in June which produced less than 5 mm of rainfall at the Royal Observatory.
There were two tropical cyclones in January and the first tropical cyclone reported in the year was Typhoon Kathy which formed near the Caroline Islands on 28 January and dissipated over the Pacific to the northeast of Guam. A tropical depression developed to the east of Mindanao of the Philippines on 29 January and dissipated near the Caroline Islands.
Two tropical cyclones were reported in February. The tropical depression which formed on 8 February to the east of Mindanao moved northwestwards but dissipated without encountering land. Tropical Storm Lorna developed and dissipated near the Caroline Islands at the end of the month.
No tropical cyclones were detected in March. In April, two tropical cyclones were observed. Typhoon Marie developed near the Caroline Islands and dissipated east of the Ryukyu Islands. Tropical Storm Nancy formed near the Marshall Islands and dissipated west of Guam.
Two typhoons, Olga and Pamela, formed over the Pacific in May and caused widespread damage and severe flooding in the Philippines and in Guam respectively. Olga which originated as a low over the Pacific east of the Philippines was the first tropical cyclone to enter Hong Kong's area of responsibility in 1976. During 21-25 May, the typhoon crossed Luzon on a northwesterly track into the South China Sea and then changed course to move eastwards dissipating near the Ryukyu Islands. Pamela which formed near the Caroline Islands on 15 May passed directly over Guam and became extratropical to the east of Japan.
There were two tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific in June. Typhoon Ruby was the first tropical cyclone in the year for which tropical cyclone warning signals were in display in Hong Kong. Ruby formed east of the Philippines on 22 June and moved northwestwards across Luzon into the South China Sea. When it came near to Pratas Island, it recurved and passed south of Taiwan, subsequently dissipating over the Pacific east of Japan. Typhoon Sally formed south of Guam and became extratropical to the east of Japan.
Among the four tropical cyclones that developed in July, only one affected Hong Kong while the other three struck western Japan during the week 18-25 July ;md gave rise to widespread damage and flooding in Kyushu.
Severe Tropical Storm Violet formed over the central part of the South China Sea on 20 July and moved northwestwards.
The typhoon turned abruptly northeastwards when coming near to Hainan Island, but it changed course to move northwestwards again when centred about 100 miles southwest of Hong Kong, and subsequently degenerated into an area of low pressure over west Kwangtung.
In August, four tropical cyclones were observed. Typhoon Billie brought widespread damage to Taiwan and crossed the coast of east China near Amoy. Tropical Storm Dot passed to the east of Shanghai and dissipated over the Sea of Japan after skirting the coast of South Korea. Both Severe T°ropical Storm Clara and Tropical Storm Ellen came within 100 miles of Hong Kong and caused strong to gale force winds and heavy rain over the territory. The rainstorms in the wake of Ellen gave rise to disastrous landslips in Hong Kong and altogether twenty seven people were killed.
A total of five tropical cyclones developed in September over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea, but only Typhoon Iris affected Hong Kong. Although sustained gales were experienced, the damage to property in Hong Kong was slight. Typhoon Fran caused torrential rain and severe flooding in Japan, particularly in Kyushu. About 163 people were killed and more than 300,000 people were made homeless. The total cost of damage to property amounted to more than US$660 million. Tropical Storm Georgia dissipated over the Pacific to the east of the Philippines while both Typhoon Hope and Typhoon Joan moved generally northwards after their formation and became extratropical to the east of Japan.
Only one tropical cyclone was reported in each month of October and November. Tropical Storm Louise became extratropical over the Pacific to the east of Japan while Severe Tropical Storm Marge dissipated near the Ryukyu Islands.
There were two tropical cyclones in December. Tropical Storm Nora dissipated over the Philippines after claiming at least 25 lives and causing some serious landslips. Tropical Storm Opal formed and dissipated to the east of Luzon.