The Observatory says it will consider issuing the Standby Signal No 1 on Friday, when a tropical cyclone is expected to move closer to Hong Kong.

The cyclone, which was churning at sea east of the Philippines on Thursday, is expected to move across the Luzon Strait and come within 800 kilometres of the SAR later on Friday.

“According to the present forecast track, the tropical cyclone will edge closer to the coast of eastern Guangdong during the weekend and intensify progressively,” the forecaster said.

The tropical cyclone has a higher chance of making landfall in the vicinity of Huizhou to Shantou, it said, but its distance from Hong Kong was still uncertain.

The Observatory will assess the need of issuing higher warning signals on Saturday.

While the weather will remain very hot at first on Saturday, local winds will gradually strengthen with increased squally showers.


Edited by Tony Sabine