'Wipha's wind force is similar to super typhoon Saola'
Typhoon Wipha prompted the observatory to issue the first Signal No 10 of the year. File photo: RTHK
The wind force of Wipha was similar to Super Typhoon Saola that triggered the Hurricane Signal No 10 two years ago, even though Wipha was less intense, according to the Hong Kong Observatory on Monday.
The SAR saw its first hurricane signal of the year in force for almost seven hours a day ago, when Typhoon Wipha came closest to the region, skirting about 50 kilometres to the south of the forecaster.
Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, senior scientific officer Lee Shuk-ming said that when the Signal No 10 was issued, many places were whipped by hurricane-force winds, including Cheung Chau, Waglan Island and Ngong Ping.
"Although Wipha was not an intense as Saola, its outer hurricane zone also affected us," she said.
"In terms of local wind force, it's on a par with Saola. Its winds generally reached above gale force."
Lee also said Wipha's outer rainbands brought more than 70 millimetres of precipitation to most districts.
Wong Tai Sin and some districts in the New Territories even saw more than 140 millimetres, she said, leading the observatory to issue the red and amber rainstorm warnings.
There will be showers in the next couple of days, but the weather will improve gradually in the latter part of the week, Lee added.
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