short note
Observations and forecasting of a low visibility event in Hong Kong on New Year’s Eve
Xie, Jielan; Chan, Pak-Wai; Ng, Wai-yin; Tam, Hiu-fai
Meteorologische Zeitschrift Vol. 33 No. 5 (2025), p. 411 - 421
published: Feb 10, 2025
published online: Aug 13, 2024
manuscript accepted: May 15, 2024
final revised version received: Apr 30, 2024
manuscript revision requested: Mar 25, 2024
manuscript received: Jan 3, 2024
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
This paper investigates a unique low-visibility event caused by haze in Hong Kong on New Year’s Eve 2023, characterized by significant spatial variations in visibility across Victoria Harbour. The study examines the meteorological conditions, including a weak northeast monsoon and localized wind patterns, that led to rapid fluctuations in visibility. Ground observations, remote-sensing data, and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) measurements from satellites were used to analyze this phenomenon. The research highlights the roles of surface winds, boundary layer stability, and aerosol dispersion in understanding visibility changes. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of current forecasting techniques, particularly the high-resolution numerical weather prediction model employed by Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department. This paper serves as a valuable resource for weather forecasters in the region and suggests further research using high-resolution models to better understand localized visibility deterioration events.
Keywords
Low visibility • stable boundary layer • aerosol • transport • dispersion