[Hong Kong Weather] Observatory: An Alert Signal No. 1 will be issued on Thursday morning; winds will be quite strong over the weekend, with sudden rain and thunderstorms.

The Observatory stated that the low-pressure area in the south-central South China Sea has intensified into a tropical depression, and it is expected to enter within 800 kilometers of Hong Kong later on Wednesday (July 1). The Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No. 1 on Thursday morning (July 2).

The Observatory predicts that the tropical cyclone will generally move toward the vicinity of Hainan Island and the Gulf of Tonkin on Thursday and Friday (July 2-3), maintaining a distance of 400 kilometers or more from Hong Kong. Winds in Hong Kong will strengthen on Friday, weather will become increasingly unstable, with swells at sea, and gradually more squally showers and thunderstorms, with heavier rain in some areas. Due to terrain effects, some high ground may experience brief gale-force winds.

The Observatory also said that as the tropical cyclone makes landfall on the western coast of South China over the weekend, Hong Kong's weather will gradually become dominated by an active southerly airstream. Winds will remain quite strong, with occasional showers and squally thunderstorms. The public is reminded to pay attention to the latest weather information, and to be mindful of weather changes and stay safe when engaging in outdoor activities, especially water sports.

Wednesday will be mainly cloudy with a few showers

The Observatory stated that a subtropical ridge is covering the northeastern part of the South China Sea, while showers are affecting Guangdong. The low-pressure area near the Philippines is bringing unstable weather to the region. Wednesday in Hong Kong will be mainly cloudy with a few showers. The minimum temperature in the morning will be about 27 degrees Celsius, and there will be sunny periods and very hot conditions during the day, with a maximum temperature of about 33 degrees Celsius in the urban area. Light to moderate east to southeast winds.

UV index extremely high

The Observatory predicts that the maximum UV index today will be 11, with the exposure level classified as "extreme."

Hot weather expected in the next day or two

The nine-day weather forecast shows that tomorrow (July 2) will have sunny periods with one or two showers, and it will be very hot during the day, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 33 degrees Celsius. Friday (July 3) will have short periods of sunshine with a few showers, swells at sea, and temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius.

The Observatory expects that the subtropical ridge will bring very hot weather to the southeastern coast of China today and tomorrow. The low-pressure area currently near the Philippines will move toward the central and southern seas today and tomorrow, and gradually develop into a tropical cyclone, but its intensity remains uncertain.

Strong winds over the weekend

Affected by the low-pressure area and active southerly airstream, the system is expected to affect the Luzon to Gulf of Tonkin area from later this week into the weekend. Winds along the coast of South China will be quite strong, and weather will become increasingly unstable, with showers and squally thunderstorms over the weekend, and swells at sea.