- Observatory says winds set to strengthen by evening, with No 1 signal already in force
- Tropical depression expected to remain at a distance of more than 500km from city during the day
Hong Kong is expecting stormy weather over the weekend. Photo: Xiaomei ChenThe Hong Kong Observatory may consider issuing a No 3 typhoon warning signal on Thursday night as a storm nears, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife expected to be in the city by the afternoon for 25th anniversary handover celebrations.
The tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea was named Chaba and estimated to be about 740km south of Hong Kong at 10am.
It has been forecast to move north-northwest at about 12km/h in the general direction of the coast of western Guangdong.
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The No 1 signal was in force on Wednesday night and is expected to continue until 6pm on Thursday, meaning that a tropical cyclone is within about 800km of Hong Kong and might affect the city. “According to the present forecast track, the tropical depression will remain at a distance of over 500km from Hong Kong during the day,” the Observatory said.
It added that as the tropical depression continued to edge closer to the coast of western Guangdong, winds were expected to strengthen gradually by nightfall, triggering a potential No 3 signal.
Squally showers and thunderstorms are expected in the next few days. There will also be swells and strong winds on Friday, with heavy showers at times over the weekend.
Xi will travel to Hong Kong by high-speed rail on Thursday afternoon for a two-day trip, with several outdoor visits anticipated, including one to the Hong Kong Science Park.
Xi is also expected to attend a flag-raising ceremony on July 1, which will be held at Wan Chai’s Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Golden Bauhinia Square.
Organisers of the celebratory events have kept a close eye on the weather and braced for last-minute changes.
The name Chaba in Thai refers to a type of tropical bloom known as a shoeflower in the hibiscus genus.