Royal - HKU Libraries - The University of Hong Kong

much of the Observatory's work involved the improvementof aviation meteorology.In June 1946, the R.A.F. forecasting centre was moved toKai Tak, and in August 1947 the Observatory took over allresponsibility for all air force and civil aviation meteorology.The sudden expansion of aviation in the immediate postwaryears strained the Observatory's resources, and extrastaff were recruited. As part of work in this area, weatherstations were opened on Waglan Island (1 December 1952)and Cheung Chau (1 January 1953). The Director, Mr.Heywood, later reported:Owing to the mountainous nature of the Colony, the weather inthe approaches is often very different from that in the harbourand at the airport, and although Waglan and Cheung Chau areonly 12 miles and 14 miles respectively from Kai Tak, theweather reports from these islands undoubtedly contribute to thesafety of aircraft approaching or leaving Hong Kong in badweather.The Royal Observatory provides all meteorologicalfacilities and services for international air navigation inHong Kong. Surface observations are taken every half hourat the airport and the Cheung Chau aeronautical station anddistributed to local users. Hourly observations from thesame two points are sent to various offices overseas.Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAP) are issued everythree hours, covering a nine-hour period for local users andevery six hours, covering a 24-hour period, for overseasmeteorological offices. Routine route forecasts are issuedtwice daily for inbound flights, and local area forecasts areissued twice a day to the Royal Air Force and the RoyalHong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Forecasts of take-offconditions are supplied to the crew of every outbound flight.Pilots of outbound flights are briefed on weather they canexpect en route, at the destination and at alternate airports;charts of significant weather and wind and temperature atcruising levels are given to all flights leaving Hong Kong.108