The Observatory said the Standby Signal No. 1 would remain in force until noon on Saturday and it would consider upgrading it to a T3 warning in the early afternoon that day.

This came as Severe Tropical Storm Matmo is expected to maintain a distance of 500 kilometres or more from Hong Kong on Friday night to Saturday morning.

The Observatory issued the No. 1 storm signal at 7.40pm on Friday.

Matmo is forecast to move across central and northern parts of the South China Sea and head towards Hainan Island.

"Depending on the intensity of Matmo, the distance of its associated gale force winds from the Pearl River Estuary and the change in local wind conditions, the Observatory will then assess the need of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals," the forecaster said.

The local weather is expected to become unsettled from late Saturday to Sunday, with windy conditions and occasional squally showers.

Seas will also be rough with swells.

This marks the 12th Standby Signal No. 1 this year, the highest since records began.
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Last updated: 2025-10-03 HKT 20:51