1. Hong Kong, China Dr. Chi-kin Pan Acting Senior Scientific Officer
Hong Kong Observatory
RA II WIGOS Workshop
6-8 November 2018, Beijing, China

2. Outline
Introduction to Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)
Physical context of Hong Kong
Requirements for observations in Hong Kong
Summary of observing capabilities of HKO
WIGOS implementation status of HKO

3. Introduction to Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)
Japan
Philippines
India
2218’N
11410’E
I. Overview
(i) Basic information of Hong Kong, China
Area: km2;
Population: m (as of mid-2018)
Sub-tropical climate
(ii) Major historical meteorological disaster events
Typhoon and storm surge
Flooding and landslide due to severe thunderstorms and rainstorms
(iii) Major economic sectors relying on Met Services
The whole economy, including financial, public utilities, shipping, transportation, tourism, etc.

4. Weather of Hong Kong
Ave no. of TC : 6.4 / yr
Mean annual rainfall: mm
Highest annual rainfall: mm (1997)
Highest hourly rainfall: mm/h (7 Jun 2008, 09 HKT)
Recent typhoon casualties (after 1960) (but >10,000 deaths in 1906 and in 1937, >2,000 in 1874)

5. Introduction to Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)
Vision-Mission-Values
II. Brief introduction to HKO
(i) HKO’s Mission, Mandate
Weather services and warnings
Climatological services
Aviation weather services
Marine weather
Radiation monitoring and assessment
Geophysical service, i.e. Astronomy and tide, earthquake and tsunami
Time standard

6. Introduction to Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)
II. Brief introduction to HKO
(ii) Organizational Structure (Total 300+ staff)

7. Physical context of Hong Kong

8. Physical context of Hong Kong

9. Requirements for observations in Hong Kong
Priority application areas
Top hazardous weather of concern in Hong Kong
Tropical cyclones
Aviation safety
thunderstorms
tropical cyclones
turbulence
icing
mountain wave
volcanic ash
Severe thunderstorms and rainstorms
Avg. no. of heavy rain days with hrly rainfall ≥ 30 mm in each month
( ) – flooding and landslides

10. Requirements for observations in Hong Kong
II. Most relevant measurements:
Atmospheric observations
Upper-air temperature, humidity, pressure and winds (including Doppler winds)
Radar reflectivity and other dual-polarization radar parameters
Lightning locations and peak current
Solar and UV radiation
Aerosol, ozone and carbon dioxide concentration
Cloud base height
Ocean observations
Temperature, humidity, pressure and winds
Precipitation
Tide and sea water level
Terrestrial observations
Surface temperature, humidity, pressure and winds
Visibility

11. Summary of observing capabilities of HKO
Ocean and Terrestrial Observations
Weather Buoy
Tide Gauge
Manual, automatic and aeronautical meteorological stations
Forward Scatterer
Drift Buoy
Runway Visual Range Transmissometer

12. Summary of observing capabilities of HKO
Atmospheric Observations
Wind profiler
CO2 monitoring station
Aerosol mass concentration monitoring station
Upper-air sounding system
CO2 sensor
Radiometer
Lightning sensor
Solar radiation sensors
Lightning network

13. Summary of observing capabilities of HKO
Atmospheric Observations
Doppler weather radar
Satellite Reception Systems
Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay
(AMDAR)
Ceilometer
Doppler Lidar

14. WIGOS Implementation Status of HKO
I. WIGOS Observing Strategy
HKO recognises the importance of a comprehensive, consistent and sustained observing system to support the delivery of public weather services and the need for international collaboration with particular attention paid to the use of observations for climate monitoring.
HKO makes reference to all WMO guidance materials and requirements in maintaining and developing its weather observation network.
Strategic planning for observational instruments serving the Hong Kong International Airport follows closely the trend of international requirements for civil aviation.
HKO will continue to follow all WMO and WIGOS guidelines and requirements in relation to weather observation.
II. WIGOS Implementation Plan and Governance Mechanism
Within HKO’s management hierarchy, the “Weather and Radiation Observation Networks” Division, the “Meteorological Forecast Systems” Division, the “Environmental Radiation Monitoring and Meteorological Measurements” Division, the “Radar and Satellite Meteorology” Division and the “Forecast Systems” Division are overseeing observing systems over the territory. The aforesaid divisions will provide foundation for the WIGOS implementation.
A high level committee, Instrument Committee, consisting of the directorates and representatives of the relevant division heads dealing with meteorological and climatological data, makes decisions and steers the progress of the WIGOS implementation. In particular, Instrument Committee will deliberate and decide on the planning and resources related to observational systems, including expansion of observation networks, introduction of new instruments and technology.
Activities undertaken within the aforesaid divisions will address the planning for WIGOS implementation.
Capacity development, communication, outreach and standardization, system interoperability and data compatibility activities will be carried out across other divisions of HKO.

15. WIGOS Implementation Status of HKO
III. Collaboration for integration and open-sharing of observations from NMHSs and non-NMHSs
HKO has established close collaboration with a number of NMHSs and regional meteorological agencies with a view to enhancing data sharing and services improvement.
A number of local universities or research institutes are also engaged to perform joint research projects with HKO.
HKO also cooperates with other Hong Kong government departments in relation to observations. Examples include the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Drainage Services Department on rain gauge data; the Government Flying Service in conducting reconnaissance flights to collect crucial meteorological data in the vicinity of tropical cyclones over the South China Sea; the Environmental Protection Department on air pollution concentration data; the Marine Department on tide and visibility data; etc.
HKO will explore the concept of GCOS National Committee for Hong Kong, China in order to facilitate enhanced observing systems for climate and data sharing.
HKO will cooperate further with other departments on data collection and sharing, e.g. the Government Flying Service on future dropsonde capability.
IV. OSCAR/Surface updated with WIGOS metadata for which observations are exchanged internationally
No. of reporting stations updated by HKO in OSCAR/Surface: 21
No. of staff trained in OSCAR/Surface: 6
Updating of metadata in progress
V. WIGOS Station Identifiers: implemented
VI. WIGOS Data Quality Monitoring System (WDQMS):
Automatic quality-checked (QC) algorithms for Automatic Weather Station (AWS) data are developed which assign QC flags to each observation data showing the data quality.
Prior to exchange of observations via WIS, real-time quality control of surface observations by AWS Automatic Data Quality Assurance System (Auto-QC), Aviaiton Meteorological Observing System (AMOS) QC processes or weather observers.
Real-time quality control of upper-air observations is carried out by weather observers.
VII. National focal points (WIGOS NFP and OSCAR/Surface NFP) nominated

16. Thank you