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TyphoonTyphoon

Tropical cyclones normally occur during the months of May to November, and arTropical cyclones normally occur during the months of May to November, and are particularly prevalent during September.e particularly prevalent during September.Tropical cyclone advisory bulletins and/or warnings are issued by the Hong Kong Tropical cyclone advisory bulletins and/or warnings are issued by the Hong Kong observatory whenever a tropical cyclone centres within 800 km of Hong Kong poobservatory whenever a tropical cyclone centres within 800 km of Hong Kong poses a threat to the territory.ses a threat to the territory.

These advisory bulletins include the tropical cyclone warning signal issued and itThese advisory bulletins include the tropical cyclone warning signal issued and its significance, the latest position and expected movement of the centre of the tros significance, the latest position and expected movement of the centre of the tropical cyclone, information on the wind strength, rainfall and sea level in the territopical cyclone, information on the wind strength, rainfall and sea level in the territory and advice on precautionary measures.ry and advice on precautionary measures.

• Lightning is the worLightning is the working project name foking project name for an extension to tighr an extension to tightly integrate calendar tly integrate calendar functionality (schedufunctionality (scheduling, tasks, etc.) into ling, tasks, etc.) into Thunderbird. Thunderbird.

• Rainstorm Warning SignalsRainstorm Warning Signals

• When the Amber Rainstorm Warning When the Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued, it gives alert about Signal is issued, it gives alert about potential heavy rain that may develop potential heavy rain that may develop into Red or Black Rainstorm Warning into Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal situations. There will be Signal situations. There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. drained areas.

• The Red signal means that heavy rain The Red signal means that heavy rain could cause serious road flooding and could cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion, and may affect traffic congestion, and may affect schools and public examinations. schools and public examinations.

• The Black signal means that there are The Black signal means that there are major disruptions and inclement major disruptions and inclement weather. The public will be given weather. The public will be given clear advice on the appropriate actions clear advice on the appropriate actions to take. to take.

• Tsunamis, also called Tsunamis, also called seismic sea waves or, seismic sea waves or, incorrectly, tidal waves, incorrectly, tidal waves, generally are caused by generally are caused by earthquakes, less commonly earthquakes, less commonly by submarine landslides, by submarine landslides, infrequently by submarine infrequently by submarine volcanic eruptions and very volcanic eruptions and very rarely by a large meteorite rarely by a large meteorite impact in the ocean. impact in the ocean. Submarine volcanic Submarine volcanic eruptions have the potential eruptions have the potential to produce truly awesome to produce truly awesome tsunami waves. tsunami waves.

Tornadoes are one of nature's most violent storms. In an average year, about 1,000 tornadoes are reported across the United States, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.

• Blizzards are characterized Blizzards are characterized by low temperatures by low temperatures (usually below 20°F) (usually below 20°F) and accompanied by winds and accompanied by winds that are at least 35 mph or that are at least 35 mph or greater, there must also be greater, there must also be sufficient falling and/or sufficient falling and/or blowing snowblowing snow in the air that in the air that will frequently reduce will frequently reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less visibility to 1/4 mile or less for a duration of at least 3 for a duration of at least 3 hours. hours.

When hurricanes move onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. The heavy waves are called a storm surge. Storm surge is very dangerous and a major reason why you MUST stay away from the ocean during a hurricane.

A hurricane is a severe tropical storm that forms in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific Ocean east of 160E. Hurricanes need warm tropical oceans, moisture and light winds above them. If the right conditions last long enough, a hurricane can produce violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains and floods.

A waterspout is a fast rotating column of air (made visible by water droplets in the cloud) extending from the base of a convective cloud to the water surface. It is equivalent to a tornado, which occursover land. A rotating column of air which does not touch the surface (water or land surface) is called a funnel cloud.