Tropical cyclone may form near HK later this week

A tropical cyclone may gradually form in the middle of the week and pass about 700 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong, according to the Observatory.

Forecasters noted that a broad area of low pressure currently situated to the east of the Philippines will continue to develop and move towards the Philippines over the next couple of days. 

It is expected to track across the central and southern parts of the South China Sea in the middle and latter parts of this week.

The AI-based weather forecasting system FengWu predicted that the system would intensify into a tropical cyclone, possibly passing near the Paracel Islands, about 700 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong, on Friday. 

While the likelihood of a direct impact on Hong Kong remains low, offshore areas may experience occasional north to northeast winds of force 6, and up to force 7 at higher elevations — conditions equivalent to a No. 3 Strong Wind Signal and a Strong Monsoon Signal.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon currently affecting southern China will ease slightly today (Mon), bringing warm daytime conditions across the region. 

Looking ahead, the weather is expected to remain mainly fine and dry throughout the week, with a pronounced difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures.