According to the Observatory, Hong Kong can expect three to five more typhoons in 2024. Photo: Sam TsangHong Kong will get three to five more typhoons this year, the weather forecaster said on Thursday.
The Observatory wrote on its website that during the first seven months this year only five typhoons formed in the northwest Pacific and South China Sea, about half the long-term average of roughly 10.
Two of them affected Hong Kong – Tropical Storm Maliksi from late May to early June and Severe Tropical Storm Prapiroon in mid-July.
The latest assessment predicted that three to five tropical cyclones could still enter within 500km (310 miles) of Hong Kong.
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The forecaster explained that the lower than average number of typhoons was primarily due to a stronger than usual northwest Pacific subtropical ridge of high pressure in June and July.
This ridge had caused increased subsidence over the western Pacific, which was not conducive to convection development and typhoon formation, the Observatory said.
Additionally, a weaker than normal southwest airstream crossing the equator had reduced water vapour transport over the northwest Pacific, further hindering typhoon development, it added.