Observatory to issue higher typhoon signal at 11pm earliest

The Observatory will assess the need to issue a higher Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal between 11pm on Tuesday and 3am on Wednesday (Sep 24) as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches Hong Kong.

At 5pm, Ragasa was centered about 320 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 22 kilometers per hour, edging closer to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary to the coast of western Guangdong.

According to the present forecast, Ragasa will be closest to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary tomorrow morning. There will be frequent heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Gale to storm force winds will prevail locally, and winds will reach hurricane force offshore and on high ground at first.

The forecaster said Ragasa has an extensive circulation with fierce winds. Its outer rainbands have edged closer to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary gradually and occasional gales are already starting to affect high grounds locally. 

The weather is expected to deteriorate rapidly overnight, with winds strengthening quickly. 

Seas will be phenomenal with swells. There will be overtopping waves over the shoreline, which will be particularly significant along the eastern and southern coasts.