Slim chance of typhoon warning for Hong Kong as double storm moves away
- Observatory had previously believed two storms brewing in the Pacific could merge into a ‘double typhoon’
- But after Tropical Cyclone Conson changed course that possibility became unlikely
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The Hong Kong Observatory said the chances of the city seeing a typhoon warning signal on Thursday were slim, a marked reversal from previous assessments that a brewing double storm system was expected to affect the entire region.
Originally forecast to blow by some 500km south-southwest of the city, Tropical Cyclone Conson is now predicted to pass even farther away than previously thought, reducing its impact on Hong Kong.
“Generally, when a typhoon of this size moves farther away, we know the chances of it affecting local winds will be lower,” said the Observatory’s acting senior scientific officer, Hon Kai-kwong. “This was not a snap decision. We have been closely monitoring the storm’s movements for quite a time already.”
Forecasters had also originally warned a second storm, Tropical Cyclone Chanthu, which is over the northwestern pacific, would interact with Conson, creating a “double typhoon” affecting the wider southern China region. Hon said the chances of that happening now were low.