Cyclone warning heralds showers

Red warning flags were raised at some beaches as the No 1 Tropical Cyclone Signal remained hoisted yesterday.

Last night, Tropical Storm York was estimated to be about 340km east-southeast of the SAR.

It was forecast to move north at about 10km/h towards the coast of eastern Guangdong.

The storm was forecast to bring overcast weather and scattered showers to Hong Kong.

A layer of cloud and still conditions again contributed to high temperatures and pollution levels in urban areas yesterday.

The air pollution index hit 100 in Central yesterday morning, and 83 at the roadside in Causeway Bay.

When the index reaches the 100 level - meaning the very young, very old and frail should stay inside - there are 150 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air.

Temperatures throughout the SAR were above 30 degrees Celsius for most of the afternoon and reached 34 degrees in parts of the New Territories.

Red flags were raised, warning the public not to enter the water at Silverstrand, Shek O, Big Wave Bay and Clear Water Bay due to rough conditions caused by the storm.

A thunderstorm warning was also issued just after 4pm.

The weather is expected to remain overcast with squally showers until Saturday.