Hong Kong may issue No 1 typhoon signal between Saturday afternoon and night

The Hong Kong Observatory said on Friday that the area of low pressure over the central and southern parts of the South China Sea had grown into a tropical depression. It was forecast to come within 800km (497 miles) of Hong Kong between Friday night and Saturday morning.

But its movement and intensity were still “quite uncertain’, according to the forecaster.

“Depending on its movement, the Observatory will consider issuing the standby signal No 1 tomorrow afternoon to tomorrow night,” it said.

“Under [the cyclone’s] influence, there will be squally showers and it will be windy offshore and on high ground in the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday and Monday.”