[Hong Kong Weather] Observatory: Signal No. 1 standby signal to be issued on Thursday morning; winds to be quite strong over the weekend with sudden showers and thunderstorms

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

The Observatory expects that the tropical cyclone will generally move towards Hainan Island to the area around the Gulf of Tonkin on Thursday and Friday (July 2 to 3), keeping a distance of 400 kilometers or more from Hong Kong. On Friday, winds in Hong Kong will strengthen, and the weather will gradually become less stable. There will be rough seas, with an increasing number of squalls and sudden heavy downpours. In some areas, rainfall will be heavier. Due to terrain effects, some high-lying areas may experience brief gale-force winds.

The Observatory also said that, as the tropical cyclone makes landfall along the western coast of southern China during the weekend, Hong Kong’s weather will gradually become dominated by an active southerly airflow. Winds will remain quite strong, with occasional sudden heavy downpours and squally thunderstorms with strong gusts. Members of the public are reminded to pay attention to the latest weather updates. If going outdoors, especially for water sports, you should always watch for changes in weather and take care for your safety.

Mainly cloudy on Wednesday with a few showers

The Observatory said that a subtropical high-pressure ridge is covering the northeastern part of the South China Sea, while showers are affecting Guangdong. A low-pressure area near the Philippines is bringing unstable weather to the area. Hong Kong will be mainly cloudy on Wednesday with a few showers. The lowest temperature in the morning will be about 27 degrees Celsius. During the day, at times there will be sunshine and it will be very hot, with a maximum temperature of about 33 degrees Celsius in urban areas. Winds will be light to moderate, from the east to the southeast.

UV index extremely high

The Observatory forecasts that the maximum UV index today will be 11, and the exposure level is classified as “extremely high”.

Very hot in the next one or two days

The nine-day weather forecast shows that tomorrow (July 2) will have sunshine at times, with one or two showers. It will be very hot during the day, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 33 degrees Celsius. On Friday (July 3), there will be short periods of sunshine, with a few showers. There will be rough seas, and temperatures will range from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius.

The Observatory expects that a subtropical high-pressure ridge will bring very hot weather to China’s southeastern coastal areas in the next two days. The low-pressure area currently near the Philippines will move to the central-southern sea areas in the next two days and will gradually develop into a tropical cyclone, but its intensity will still be subject to changes.

Winds quite strong over the weekend

Affected by the low-pressure area and an active southerly airflow, the system is expected to affect the area from Luzon to the Gulf of Tonkin from later this week through the weekend. Winds along the coast of southern China will be quite strong, and the weather will gradually become more unstable. Over the weekend, there will be showers and squally thunderstorms with strong gusts, and there will be rough seas.