Macau Typhoon Warning – Neoguri

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqyplJg233Q

For current, up to date Typhoon Level warnings for Macau and Hong Kong from the Hong Kong Observatory please visit:

(Update 07/09 – New Link for Typhoone Warnings in Macau:
http://www.smg.gov.mo/www/cvm/typhoon/fe_typhoonmain.htm ) 

http://www.smg.gov.mo/e_index.php

(Chinese TV report of Typhoon Level 8 “Neoguri” that hit Macau on April 20, 2008.

My first level 8 typhoon warning. Yipee! Reminds me of the hurricanes when I lived in Miami (hurricane parties are the best).

Friday, April 18 2008 – The Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) yesterday issued a tropical cyclone warning for typhoon ‘Neoguri’, the earliest period at which such warnings have ever been issued.

Previous Typhoon Prapiroon from August 2, 2006

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYAT_8lGAKo

With the signal No. 1 being hoisted at 6:am yesterday morning, the warning forecasted strong rain and winds ad was heading toward Sanya City, in southern Hainan.

The signal at No. 1 showed that the centre of the tropical cyclone was less than 800 kilometres by 5:00 pm last evening from Macau and could later affect the peninsula.
It was packing winds of up to 126 kilometres per hour.

The Bureau said the centre of the typhoon would move north-westward at a speed of 15 km per hour and may hit the southern coast of Hainan this afternoon or tomorrow morning, or skim over the offshore areas.

The Bureau urged ships and boats to return to shore and local residents to take precautions against the typhoon.

Neoguri, the first tropical storm to hit this year, was formed in the South China Sea on Tuesday. It strengthened into a typhoon on Wednesday afternoon.

Last year two typhoons were identified, one in August and the other in September.
The former had signals hoisted till No. 3 while the latter only reached the No.1 signal.
Historical data for typhoons from the Bureau has been published only since 1968, the earliest such data has been recorded.

April 23 had previously been the earliest record of a typhoon heading towards Macau, which occurred in 1978.

Since the conception of such data, the Bureau has recorded a total of four typhoons that have had the No. 10 signal hoisted, the highest signal possible.

For the No. 1 signal, safety recommendations include checking the safety of objects which might be carried or destroyed by the winds such as fences, scaffoldings, flower pots, antennae (aerials ). Residents are advised to keep boats and small crafts in the nearby shelters.

MACAU TYPHOON WARNING SYSTEM

There is a risk of typhoons, mainly between July and September. A system of typhoon warnings is in place that are issued by the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau [12] and are broadcast widely on television and radio:

The typhoon warning system is basically a copy of the system used in Hong Kong.

* Number 1: tropical cyclone is within 800km of Macau
* Number 3: tropical cyclone is likely to bring winds of 41-62 km/h to Macau, with gusts of 110km/h (usually issued when the typhoon is within 300km of Macau)
* Number 8: tropical cyclone is nearing Macau, bringing with it winds of 63-117 km/h, and gusts of up to 180 km/h
* Number 9: the centre of the tropical cyclone is approaching Macau and it is expected that Macau will be severely affected
* Number 10: the centre of the tropical cyclone will hit Macau directly, with mean wind speed over 118 km/h and intense gusts

During a number 8, 9 or 10 typhoon everything in Macau shuts down (all schools, all government departments, and the large majority of work places and shops). People stay home and it is not advisable to venture outside as there is the risk of injury or worse from flying debris.