UpdateStorm signal No 3 raised in Hong Kong as Jebi nears Guangdong

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the strong-wind signal No 3 on Thursday at 4.10pm as tropical storm Jebi edges towards western Guangdong.

This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are now expected.

At 9pm, Tropical Storm Jebi was estimated to be about 630 kilometres south of Hong Kong and is forecast to move northwest at about 12 kilometres per hour across the central part of the South China Sea, in the general direction of Hainan Island.

Under the combined effect of Jebi and the ridge of high pressure over the coast of southeastern China, winds on high ground in Hong Kong occasionally reached gale force.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained wind recorded at Ngong Ping was 83 kilometres per hour.

The outer rainbands of Jebi are affecting the coast of Guangdong, bringing scattered squally showers to Hong Kong. There will also be swells, members of the public should remain alert and stay away from the shoreline.