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The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the Guangdong Meteorological Bureau (GMB) and the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) jointly announced the launch of the Yangjiang lightning sensor station at Yangjiang Comprehensive Meteorological Observing Station, Guangdong Province, today (September 5).
The HKO, the GMB and the SMG has jointly established the Lightning Location Network over the Pearl River Estuary region since 2005. With the Yangjiang station coming into operation, the network now comprises seven stations, and spatial coverage has more than doubled. This helps to enhance the effective range and reliability of lightning detection.
The new Yangjiang lightning sensor station is located over the coastal areas of western Guangdong, about 230 kilometres away from Hong Kong. It can collect more lightning information further to the west of Hong Kong, which is useful for monitoring thunderstorms moving from west to east towards the Pearl River Estuary.
At the opening ceremony, the Assistant Director of the HKO, Mr Lai Sau-tak, said, "Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region are prone to thunderstorms. The establishment of this Lightning Location Network is a successful example of co-operation in disaster prevention and mitigation among the meteorological authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. With the growing popularity of mobile applications in recent years, the Observatory has been providing regional lightning information services through the mobile application 'MyObservatory'. Members of the public can conveniently get hold of the latest lightning situation anywhere, anytime, allowing those engaged in outdoor work or activities to make timely arrangements. As extreme weather events are getting more frequent due to climate change, such services are expected to become even more essential."
The Deputy Director of the GMB, Mr Zhuang Xudong, said, "Following the establishment and operation of the Yangjiang station, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao lightning monitoring network has been further improved. It can capture the locations, types, movement speeds and development trends of lightning strokes over the Pearl River Delta region in a timelier and more accurate manner, enabling the meteorological authorities of the three places to effectively monitor lightning activities over the Pearl River Delta region."
The Acting Chief of the Meteorological Division at the SMG, Mr Tang Iu-man, said, "The Yangjiang lightning sensor station will further enhance the coverage of lightning activities to the west of the Pearl River Estuary and refine the accuracy of the Lightning Location Network, providing an even more solid foundation in nowcasting severe convective weather systems that move from west to east during the early flood season."
The latest lightning location information detected by the Lightning Location Network is accessible through the Observatory's web page (www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/llis/index.htm) and the mobile application "MyObservatory". For details on how to download "MyObservatory", please visit www.weather.gov.hk/myobservatory_e.htm.
Ends/Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:05
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