The Standby Signal No 1 will remain in force on Thursday night and Friday morning as Tropical Storm Wutip continues to affect the region, the Observatory said.

Forecasters said they will assess the need to issue the Strong Wind Signal No 3 between later on Friday and Saturday morning.

Acting senior scientific officer Tse Wai-po said Wutip was estimated to be about 730 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong as of 5pm.

It is forecast to move northwest in the general direction of the western part of Hainan and intensify slightly, before moving towards Beibu Wan to Leizhou Peninsula.

Tse said Wutip will edge slightly closer to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary over the weekend.

“Winds are expected to strengthen gradually on Saturday generally over the territories and up to gale force on high ground. There will be occasional heavy squally showers,” he said.

Tse urged the pubic to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.