Flying high: The Hong Kong Observatory will acquire a new system of deploying weather balloons.

A new weather balloon deployment system, the use of wind energy and closer ties with the region's meteorological bureaux are some of the Hong Kong Observatory's initiatives for this year.

Speaking at its year end briefing today, Observatory Director Lam Chiu-ying said the deployment of weather balloons is set to become fully automatic.

The replacement system, to be implemented next year, will save manpower and relieve staff of the danger of filling weather balloons with highly-flammable hydrogen gas.

The Observatory will also increase the use of environmentally friendly wind energy at its Automatic Weather Stations.

"This will guarantee uninterrupted supply of power. Special data will also be collected for studies in the exploitation of wind energy in Hong Kong," Mr Lam said.

To address public concern about students going to school in typhoons, the Observatory and the Education & Manpower Bureau will implement new measures in the coming storm season.

Officials will be in close contact and operation units will co-operate to ensure the timely announcement of school closures when typhoon signal number eight is hoisted, Mr Lam said.

Speaking on the Observatory's co-operation with its Guangdong and Macau counterparts, Mr Lam revealed that there will be more discussions on projects on radar information exchange and short-range rain prediction to enhance the overall weather services in the region.

Turning to Hong Kong's weather, Mr Lam said: "The effect of El Nino last year was abating. As a result, the sea surface temperature over the Pacific will resume normal.

"Statistics suggest that the number of tropical cyclone affecting Hong Kong this year will be slightly smaller than normal. The chance of having a wet year is rather high," Mr Lam added.