Hong Kong to issue No 1 typhoon signal on Thursday as tropical depression nears
Storm is expected to remain about 400km from the city, weather forecaster says
Hong Kong’s weather forecaster will issue the No 1 typhoon signal on Thursday, potentially marking the city’s first storm of the year, as a tropical depression approaches.
The Hong Kong Observatory said on Wednesday evening that the tropical depression had entered within 800km (497 miles) of the city, and would move in the general direction of the vicinity of Hainan Island and Beibu Wan, also known as the Gulf of Tonkin, on Thursday and Friday.
The tropical depression was expected to remain about 400km from the city, the forecaster added.
“Under its influence, local winds will strengthen on Friday and weather will become unsettled. There will be swells. Squally showers will increase gradually, and showers will be heavier in some areas,” the Observatory said.
It warned that gale-force winds were expected to affect higher ground.