[Hong Kong Weather] Observatory: Typhoon Signal No. 1 will be issued on Thursday morning; windy with showers and thunderstorms over the weekend.

The Observatory stated that the low-pressure area in the south-central part of the South China Sea has intensified into a tropical depression. 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 towards the Hainan Island to the Beibu Gulf area on Thursday and Friday (July 2 to 3), maintaining a distance of 400 kilometers or more from Hong Kong. Winds in Hong Kong will strengthen on Friday, with weather gradually becoming unstable. There will be swells at sea, and squally showers will gradually increase, 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 along the western coast of southern China over the weekend, Hong Kong's weather will gradually shift to being dominated by an active southerly airstream. Winds will remain quite strong, with occasional showers and squally thunderstorms. The public is reminded to stay updated on the latest weather information, and those engaging in outdoor activities, especially water sports, should be vigilant about weather changes and ensure safety.

Wednesday will be mainly cloudy with a few showers

The Observatory stated that the 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. Hong Kong will be mainly cloudy on Wednesday with a few showers. The minimum temperature in the morning will be about 27 degrees Celsius, while the daytime will have some sunny periods and be very hot, with the urban area reaching a maximum temperature of about 33 degrees Celsius. Light to moderate easterly to southeasterly winds will prevail.

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 for the next one to two days

The nine-day weather forecast shows that tomorrow (July 2) will have some 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 sunny periods with a few showers, swells at sea, and temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius.

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

Quite windy over the weekend

Affected by the low-pressure area and the active southerly airstream, the system is expected to affect the Luzon to Beibu Gulf area from the later part of this week to the weekend. The coast of southern China will experience quite strong winds, with weather gradually becoming unstable. Over the weekend, there will be showers and squally thunderstorms, with swells at sea.