Observatory to lower typhoon signal afternoon as Matmo departs

The Observatory said local winds will continue to weaken in the afternoon as Typhoon Matmo continues to depart from Hong Kong, and will lower the tropical cyclone warning to Standby Signal, No. 1 when strong winds no longer pose threats to the city generally.

At noon, Matmo was estimated to be about 390 kilometers west-southwest of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 22 kilometers per hour towards Leizhou Peninsula.

The forecaster said local winds started weakening slightly and there will still be a few squally showers and thunderstorms on Sunday (Oct 5). 

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Cheung Chau, Tap Mun and Sha Chau were 71, 63 and 58 kilometers per hour with maximum gusts exceeding 85, 73 and 78 kilometers per hour, respectively.