HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.

Unit 5.2 : Why does Hong Kong suffer from typhoon?

Self-learning activities

A. Key Vocabulary Items

Vocabulary Meaning Vocabulary Meaning
typhoon 颱風 preventive measures 預防措施

tropical cyclone 熱帶氣旋 remedial measures 補救措施

monitoring and warning
tropical ocean 熱帶海洋 監測及警報系統
system
moist air 濕潤空氣 typhoon-proof 能抵禦颱風的

towering clouds 塔狀雲 land use planning 土地利用規劃

spiral 螺旋 precautionary actions 預防措施

suck 吸入 rescue team 救援隊伍

disrupt 擾亂 emergency aids 緊急援助

loss of life and
人命傷亡 temporary shelter 臨時庇護中心
property
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.2

B. Why does Hong Kong suffer from typhoon?

1. What is a typhoon?

A typhoon is a strong tropical cyclone. It is a low pressure

system.

2. How does a typhoon affect the weather of Hong Kong?

Study Figures 2a, 2b and 2c on page 50 of the textbook. Then complete the table below.

1 August 2016 2 August 2016 3 August 2016 Change in weather

(As the typhoon (When the (After the condition
approached typhoon was typhoon moved
Hong Kong) very near away from
Hong Kong) Hong Kong)
Air temperature 30oC 27 oC 28oC Air temperature first
(oC) fell and then rose.
Air pressure 1002 – 1004 hPa Below 990 hPa 1004 - 1006 hPa Air pressure first fell
(hPa) and then rose.
Wind direction W NW SE The wind directions
changed.
Wind speed 2.5 m/s 17.5 m/s 5m / s Very strong wind was
(m/s) blowing when
typhoons came to HK.
Precipitation Nil Shower Shower There was heavy rain
when the typhoon as
very near Hong Kong.
The rain _stopped__
after the typhoon
moved away from
Hong Kong.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.3

Lesson worksheet

3. What are the causes of typhoons?

When? Typhoons are commonly formed during _summer_.

Where? They are usually formed over _tropical oceans___.

Why there?

_Tropical__ oceans are the ‘birth places’ of typhoons because it offer two favourable
conditions for them to form:

Tropical oceans

Warm water with temperatures An abundant supply of moist air

over 26.5oC
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.4

Air cools and

 Condensation
condenses to form
releases heat to the
clouds
surrounding air

 Moist air is heated by

the warm ocean surface
and rises

Sea

 Warm ocean surface

with 26.5oC or above

 Air is kept warm and continues to

rise, forming towering clouds

 Rising air results in

 More air moves into
a low-pressure centre.
the low-pressure centre
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.5

 Air spirals upwards as it rises

 Intense low air pressure

sucks in more moist air,
causing very strong winds.
A typhoon is formed.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.6

4. What are the effects of typhoons?

Typhoons

Strong winds and heavy Trigger other natural hazards such

rain as flooding and landslide

Cause deaths and Affect people’s Disrupt

injuries daily activities economic
activities

Disrupt traffic/transport , Damage power lines and therefore

such as causing road closure and disrupt power supply
delay of flights
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.7
5. How do people prepare for and respond to typhoons?

1 3 Preventive
measures

Educate people to take Have good monitoring and

precautionary actions warning systems

2 4
Have better land
use planning, such as
moving settlements away from
shoreline

Design typhoon-proof
buildings

5 6 Remedial
measures

Have well-trained rescue teams Open temporary shelters to those

and emergency aids affected
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.8

Summary

A. What are the causes and effects of typhoons? How do people prepare
for and respond to them?

Warm
moist

low

traffic typhoon-proof
land use

natural
rescue
hazards
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.9

Name: _____________________ Class: _____( ) Date: ____________ Marks: ________/15

Unit 5.2 : Why does Hong Kong suffer from typhoon? (Assignment)

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following descriptions about a typhoon are correct?

(1) It is a low pressure system.

(2) It is also called a temperate cyclone.
(3) It is common in summer.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
B
D. (1), (2) and (3)

2. If the Hong Kong Observatory issues the following warning signal, what actions should
people take?

(1) Stop all outdoor activities.

(2) Avoid being out in the sunlight for too long.
(3) Stay in a safe place and listen to radio or TV announcements.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
B
D. (1), (2) and (3)
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.10

2. Which of the following natural hazards are brought by typhoons to Hong Kong?
(1) snow storms
(2) floodings
(3) landslides
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only C
D. (1), (2) and (3)

Section B: Data Response Questions (12 marks)

1. Figures 1a and 1b show the position of Typhoon Merbok on 11 and 12 June 2017 respectively.
11 June 2017 12 June 2017

 Origin of Typhoon Merbok

Figure 1a Figure 1b
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.11

a. In which season did Typhoon Merbok hit Hong Kong? (1 mark)

Summer

b. Refer to Figure 1a. Explain the favourable conditions for the formation of Typhoon Merbok.
 warm water with temperature over 26.5 oC (2 marks)
 abundant supply of moist air

a. Refer to figures 1a and 1b. Describe the changes in weather conditions when Typhoon
Merbok is coming near to Hong Kong. Support your answer with map evidence. (6 marks)

- Temperature dropped (1) from 30˚C to 27˚C (1).

- Air pressure dropped (1) from 1004–1006 hPa to 996 hPa (1).
- Wind direction changed (1) from SE/SSE to N/NNW (1).
- Winds became stronger (1). Wind speed increased from 2.5 m/s to 15 m/s (1).
(Only describe the changes, max: 3)

d. What negative impact may Typhoon Merbok bring to Hong Kong? (3 marks)
- Cause deaths and injuries
- Disrupt air and road traffic
- Disrupt people’s daily life
- Cause economic losses
(any 2)
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.12

Name: _____________________ Class: _____( ) Date: ____________ Marks: ________/15

Unit 5.2: Why does Hong Kong suffer from typhoon? (Quiz)

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (3 marks)

1. Which season is Hong Kong affected by typhoons?

A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Autumn B
D. Winter

2. When a typhoon is very near Hong Kong, the air pressure will be _____.
A. 1350-1200 hPa
B. 1100-1060 hPa
C. 1049- 1030 hPa
D
D. 999- 950 hPa

3. Which of the following measures can reduce the losses caused by typhoons?
(1) set up monitoring and warning systems
(2) educate the public to take precautionary actions
(3) provide better rescue services
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D
D. (1), (2) and (3)
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.13
Section B: Data Response Questions (12 marks)

1. Figure 1a shows the track of weather system P affected Hong Kong in summer. Table 1b shows
the weather conditions of Hong Kong on two consecutive days under the influence of weather
system P.
Figure 1a

Table 1b

a. i. Refer to Figure 1a. Identify weather system P. (1 mark)

Weather system P is a typhoon / tropical cyclone.

ii. Explain the formation of weather system P. (4 marks)

o
Warm ocean surface with 26.5 C or above. Moist air is heated by the warm ocean surface
and rises. Air cools and condenses to form clouds. Condensation release heat to the
surrounding air. Moreover, rising air results in a low-pressure centre. More air moves into
the low-pressure centre. Air spirals upwards as it rises. Intense low air pressure sucks in
more moist air, causing very strong winds. A typhoon is formed.
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography / Unit 5.2 / p.14
b. Refer to Figure 1a and Table 1b.
i. On which day would weather conditions X and Y most likely occur respectively?
(2 marks)
X: 29 July Y: 30 July

ii. Describe the changes in weather conditions of Hong Kong on these two days.
(3 marks)
The air pressure dropped. The wind direction changed. The wind speed increased. The
rainfall increased.

c. What negative impact may weather system P bring to Hong Kong? (2 marks)
- Cause deaths and injuries
- Disrupt air and road traffic
- Disrupt people’s daily life
- Cause economic losses