Radar Station at the hilltop of Tai Mo Shan

From a cold, windswept peak to a hub of cutting-edge meteorology, the Radar Station at the hilltop of Tai Mo Shan has undergone a transformation. The original radar, installed in 1999, served Hong Kong faithfully for 24 years. It witnessed countless storms, from typhoons to torrential rains. But time marches on, even for weather radars. At the end of last year, the old radar was dismantled. Its replacement? A state-of-the-art dual-polarization S-band Doppler weather radar. The Radar Station at the hilltop of Tai Mo Shan was now ready for the future. The installation process was a feat of engineering and endurance. Throughout the winter and spring of 2024, workers braved freezing temperatures and humid fog. They toiled day and night on Hong Kong’s highest peak. Their mission was critical: to have the new radar operational before the rainy season. The new Radar Station at the hilltop of Tai Mo Shan is a vital tool for the Hong Kong Observatory. It provides crucial data for monitoring severe weather, including thunderstorms, rainstorms, and tropical cyclones. This advanced radar can even identify hail areas and raindrop sizes. This helps meteorologists predict rainfall rates with greater accuracy. The new radar at Tai Mo Shan works in tandem with another dual-polarization radar at Tate’s Cairn. Together, they provide continuous radar coverage, ensuring Hong Kong is prepared for whatever the skies may bring.