The Observatory on Sunday said it would issue the Gale or Storm Signal No. Nine at 7:20 am.

At 6 am, Typhoon Wipha was about 130 km southeast of Hong Kong. It was forecast to move west or west-northwest at about 25 kilometres per hour towards the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary.

According to its current track, Wipha will come as close as 50 kilometres south of the Observatory at around noon.

Hong Kong is expected to see frequent heavy squally showers and thunderstorms throughout Sunday, the Observatory added.

Members of the public are also urged to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports as seas will be high with swells.

There may also be flooding over low-lying coastal areas on Sunday morning.