HKO warns of gale-force winds by Sun amid hot Mid-Autumn lead-up

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) warns of a developing low-pressure system east of the Philippines that could become a tropical cyclone, potentially bringing gale-force winds to the city by Sunday, while hot and sunny weather persists in the lead-up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hong Kong is currently experiencing hot and sunny weather due to a high-pressure system over the region, with temperatures reaching around 33 degrees Celsius in many areas today. 

The HKO expects these clear and scorching conditions to continue for the next couple of days, with temperatures ranging between 27 degrees and 33 degrees Celsius and light breezes prevailing.

However, a low-pressure system located east of the Philippines is forecast to intensify into a tropical cyclone within the next two to three days. 

This system is expected to move toward the Luzon area before crossing the central and northern South China Sea, heading generally toward the western Guangdong coast or eastern Hainan Island.

Its exact strength remains uncertain, but the observatory has upgraded its wind forecast for Sunday (Oct 5), indicating potential gale-force winds with speeds of 63 to 75 kilometers per hour, which could trigger a No. 8 typhoon signal.

As the weekend approaches, the weather is expected to deteriorate, with increasing showers and strong winds from Saturday evening into Sunday. 

The sea is likely to become rough with significant waves. 

By the time the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives on October 6 (Mon), conditions are expected to improve gradually, with fewer showers and clearer skies extending into October 7 (Tue) as the high-pressure system strengthens again over the Guangdong coast. 

The weather watchdog advises residents to stay updated on the developing cyclone’s path and prepare for potentially disruptive weather over the weekend, while the festive period is likely to see a return to calmer conditions.