As I write on 13 November 2024, Tropical Cyclone Toraji is set to pass over Hong Kong, with a T8 signal warning of gales, and radar indicating intense rains to come. It’s highly unusual to have a tropical cyclone affect Hong Kong in November, and I’ve had a quick look for information on these. [Below, a little info on Toraji; those rains fizzled as they neared HK.]
November 1900: the Geng-Zi Typhoon Disaster
By far the worst tropical cyclone to impact Hong Kong in November was a typhoon that struck on 10 November 1900. The Hong Kong Observatory noted the approach of a large typhoon, and on 8 November began issuing warnings to the public, with the Number 9 signal hoisted during the height of the storm [there was as yet no Number 10 signal]. However, “many of them disbelieved that such a violent storm would affect the territory in this season”; and with peak hourly wind speeds recorded at 113 km/hr – similar to several more renowned/infamous typhoons, there was considerable damage along with loss of life. An article on the Hong Kong Observatory website reports:
The “Geng-Zi” Typhoon caused extensive damages and heavy casualties to the territory. Numerous sampans and boats were sunk or even smashed to matchwood by the raging waves. Ten steam-launches and over 110 junks were also sunk and the harbour was full of wreckage. The gunboat H.M.S Sandpiper sank at her mooring and her crews, with one exception, were gallantly rescued by the torpedo-destroyer H.S.M. Otter. The large dredger “Canton River” was blown over and sunk. The Star Ferry pier was also heavily damaged. Over land, there were many reports of damages to houses, especially in the Peak District. All matsheds erected on the reclamation land over Yaumati were leveled to ground by the high winds. Many trees were damaged or uprooted. Lamp posts and telephone posts were bent at all angles by the furious winds. Over 200 lives were lost in these few fatal hours.
The “Geng-Zi” typhoon disaster in 1900
Typhoons and Tropical Cyclones bringing gales from 1900 to 2022
As the article on the Geng-Zi typhoon notes, the next typhoon to bring gales in November was in 1915. On 23 November 1939, a tropical cyclone that was no longer a typhoon was unusual for passing over Hong Kong from the west-southwest, bringing southeasterly gales and; after a 15-minute lull when the eye moved across Hong Kong, northwesterlies: as reported in Some Notes on the Structure of Hong Kong Typhoons.
Subsequently, according to the Geng-Zi typhoon article: “After World War II, there were two typhoons which necessitated the hoisting of Signal No. 8 or higher in November, namely the typhoons in 1954 (Signal No. 9) and 1972 (Signal No. 8). Coincidently, both of them were named Pamela.”
The next such storm was Nalgae, in 2022.
November 2022: Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae
Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae passed closest to Hong Kong on 3 November 2022; by then, it was already weakening, though the T8 signal was issued, as recorded in a lengthy report that included:
Meteorological data revealed that while Nalgae appeared to be rather weak from the meteorological satellite image under the cool sea surface water and the cool and dry northeast monsoon, it still maintained considerable intensity near the lower-boundary layer and managed to bring gale to storm force 10 min mean winds over many places in Hong Kong, necessitating the issuance of a gale or storm wind signal in November since 1972.
A Rare Tropical Cyclone Necessitating the Issuance of Gale or Storm Wind Warning Signal in Hong Kong in Late Autumn in 2022-Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae
November 2024: Tropical Storm Toraji
Toraji was a typhoon as it hit Luzon, but weakened. Once over the South China Sea, it headed towards Hong Kong, retaining some strength as a tropical storm – resulting in T8 signal being issued [as I update on morning of 14 November, T8 about to be “lowered”].
While there were gales at times over hills and some places in the south, especially Waglan, it wasn’t impactful in Hong Kong.
And with the T3 signal in effect, winds mostly force 5 or less across HK, I see this on Twitter. Yet another example of a local TV reporter way over dressed for the actual conditions, as you can tell from people behind her!:
