HKO to issue T1 tonight as tropical cyclone approaches

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) announced it will issue the Standby Signal, No. 1 tonight as a low-pressure area over Luzon is expected to enter the South China Sea and intensify into a tropical cyclone. The system is forecast to enter within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong by this evening.

According to the Observatory, the tropical cyclone will move across the central and northern parts of the South China Sea over the weekend, gradually intensifying as it tracks in the general direction of the southern part of Hainan Island and the seas to its south.

It is expected to maintain a distance of about 500 kilometres or more from Hong Kong.

Locally, weather conditions are expected to be mainly fine and very hot initially tomorrow, though a few showers and squally thunderstorms will develop later in the day. Swells are also anticipated. Conditions are forecast to become windier on Sunday with occasional squally showers.

The HKO advises members of the public to monitor the latest weather information closely, stay away from the shoreline, and avoid engaging in any water sports due to potentially hazardous sea conditions.