The Hong Kong Observatory said the Standby Signal No 1 will remain in effect throughout Thursday as the city keeps a close watch on an approaching tropical depression.

According to acting senior scientific officer Lam Hok-yin, the system is expected to gradually intensify over the coming hours and track generally towards Hainan.

"With the tropical cyclone edging closer to the coast of southern China tomorrow, local winds offshore and on high ground are expected to strengthen," he said.

"The weather will become unsettled gradually. There will be more squally showers."

He said the observatory will decide whether to issue the Strong Wind Signal No 3 on Friday.

That assessment, Lam added, will depend on several key factors, including changes in the storm’s intensity, how close its strong wind belt comes to the Pearl River Estuary and actual wind conditions observed locally.

He cautioned that the unstable weather is likely to persist over the following few days.


Edited by Edmond Fong