Hong Kong's auditor has called on the observatory to set a concrete timetable for extending its nine-day weather forecast to cover two weeks and to step up public education of its tropical cyclone warning system.

In a report published on Wednesday, the Audit Commission noted that there have been various trial operations in weather monitoring and forecasting, including an extension of the outlook period from nine to 14 days for internal reference.

The commission noted that the forecaster "had not set a concrete timeframe for the trial operation of extension of the weather forecast period from 9 days to 14 days".

"[The observatory] needs to keep under review and evaluate the results of trial operations in weather forecasting, and formulate full implementation timeframes where appropriate," it said.

The report cited the observatory's director as saying that "sufficient data covering different seasons and weather scenarios is needed to evaluate the performance of the potential new service on extension of the forecast period before launch", and that the forecaster will make assessments to formulate a full implementation schedule.

Among other issues raised in the report, the auditor urged the weather forecaster to better educate the public on the tropical cyclone warning system, as it receives enquiries on the issuance of typhoon signals from time to time.

It suggested the observatory publish "more comprehensive information" relating to tropical cyclones, such as factors that are taken into consideration when making decisions on issuing warnings.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden