【Standby Signal No. 1】Typhoon Signal No. 8 on Friday? Scorching heat eases slightly, strong winds and heavy showers increase.

A tropical cyclone in the South China Sea is gradually intensifying. The Hong Kong Observatory said it will issue the T1 standby signal on Thursday morning (2 July). Citizens are most concerned about: will the T8 gale signal be hoisted on Friday (3 July)?

Based on current forecasts, the chance of hoisting the T8 gale signal during the daytime on Friday is not high, but it cannot be completely ruled out. The critical period may be from late Friday to early Saturday, when Hong Kong will experience stronger winds and more frequent rain, especially over offshore areas and high ground.

The Observatory said the tropical cyclone currently located in the central South China Sea will gradually strengthen in the next day or two and will generally move towards Hainan Island and the Gulf of Tonkin. Since the current forecast track does not show it heading directly towards the Pearl River Estuary, this is the main reason the chance of a T8 signal is not yet high. However, there are still variables in the tropical cyclone's track and intensity. If the system moves further north than expected, intensifies faster, or if its gale-force wind field comes closer to Hong Kong, the signal level could still be raised.

Thursday daytime in Hong Kong will still be very hot, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 33 degrees Celsius. There will be sunny periods and a few showers. Later, offshore winds will be occasionally force 5.

By Friday, the weather will deteriorate significantly. The Observatory forecasts that Friday will be mainly cloudy with a few squally showers and thunderstorms. Showers will gradually become more frequent, with heavier rain in some areas, and there will be swells. Temperatures will drop to between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius. Winds will be east to southeast force 5, occasionally force 6 offshore, and force 7 over high ground later. In other words, the extreme heat will ease slightly, but it won't turn cool — rather, it will shift from "sweltering heat" to "rainy and windy."

Saturday will see even more rain. The Observatory forecasts that Saturday will be cloudy with squally showers and thunderstorms, sometimes heavy. There will be swells. Temperatures will drop further to between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius. Winds will be south to southeast force 4 to 5, initially force 6 offshore and force 7 over high ground.

At this stage, the more likely scenario is that the T1 standby signal will be issued first, and then depending on local wind conditions, it may be changed to the T3 strong wind signal. As for the T8 gale signal, based on current data, the chance is not high, but there is still uncertainty from late Friday to early Saturday. Citizens with plans for outlying islands, water activities, camping, or outdoor trips over the weekend should pay close attention to the latest weather updates.