A better location for the Chek Lap Kok reference anemometer

28 March 2024

To ensure that the reference anemometer network of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal System effectively reflects the general wind condition over Hong Kong, the Observatory regularly reviews the reference anemometer stations and makes adjustments when necessary. Since 25 March 2024, the Chek Lap Kok anemometer has been relocated to the middle point of the new North Runway which is at a more favourable environment and represents the wind measurement better than the original one (indicated by the green dot in Figure 1).

Figure 1 Distribution of the eight reference anemometers in the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal System (the red dots). The green dot indicates the original location of the Chek Lap Kok anemometer.

Looking back in time before the completion of the Third Runway, the original Chek Lap Kok anemometer was located near the middle of the then North Runway (i.e., the Centre Runway now) of the Hong Kong International Airport. The good exposure of the station on an open flat reclaimed land with no high-rise buildings nearby made it an optimal choice in the last round of selection (in 2001). However, in recent years, with the construction of the Third Runway (i.e., the new North Runway), the original coastal station shifted to the central area within the inland part of the Airport Island and faced an elevated taxiway to its north (Figure 2). Studies have shown a decreasing trend in the yearly mean wind speeds measured at that station in multiple directions. Particularly, significant decreases in the speeds of northerlies and northeasterlies have been observed since 2017. Relocation is undoubtedly the best option which keeps abreast of the times.

Figure 2 The location of the original Chek Lap Kok anemometer and the view to its north. The yellow line in the left figure indicates the position of the elevated taxiway.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.