Integrated Multi-Agency Tropical Cyclone Forecast - Explanatory Notes to Tracking Map

  1. Meteorological agencies
    • HKO: Hong Kong Observatory (香港天文台)
    • JTWC: Joint Typhoon Warning Center (美國聯合颱風警報中心)
    • JMA: Japan Meteorological Agency (日本氣象廳)
    • NMC: National Meteorological Center (中國中央氣象台)
    • CWB: Central Weather Bureau (台灣中央氣象局)
    • KMA: Korea Meteorological Administration (韓國氣象廳)
    • PAGASA: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (菲律賓大氣地球物理和天文服務管理局)
  2. Forecast base times and initial intensities
    • E.g. “150600Z” = 06:00 UTC on 15th day of month
      • UTC = GMT = 8 hours behind HK time
      • “150600Z” = 2:00 p.m. (HK time) on 15th day of month
    • E.g. “70KT” = 70 knots
      • 1 knot = 1.852 km/h ≈ 0.514 m/s
      • “70KT” ≈ 130 km/h or 36 m/s
  3. Initial positions (here, at 150600Z)
    • Here, the dots do not overlap with each other, meaning that the agencies were not in good agreement as to Kalmaegi’s initial position; this is because Kalmaegi was re-organizing itself after crossing Luzon and its eye was not well-defined
  4. Forecast tracks
    • Each dot represents position 24 hours after preceding one
    • For each agency, forecast track up to 120 hours ahead may be available
  5. Latest position (here, at 150900Z)
    • Available when close-up tracking map (i.e. map bounded by 10-30°N, 105-130°E – the one shown here) is displayed
    • Updated hourly by HKO when Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 or above is in force in HK, or every 3-12 hours otherwise
  6. Past track
    • Based on HKO’s 3-/6-hourly data when close-up tracking map is displayed, or JTWC’s 6-hourly data otherwise
    • Numbered dots represent daily positions at 00:00 UTC
  7. Distance from HK
    • Inner circle: 400 km from HK
    • Outer circle: 800 km from HK