Hong Kong may issue a No 1 typhoon signal on Saturday evening, as the city’s forecaster continues to track the movements of a tropical depression in the South China Sea.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the yet-to-be-named tropical depression was located in the central part of those waters and was expected to move towards Hainan Island after adopting a more westerly track on Saturday morning.
The tropical depression was centred about 270 kilometres (167 miles) east-southeast of Paracel Islands, known as the Xisha Islands in China, as of 10am.
The forecaster said the tropical depression could potentially move across the South China Sea at about 18km/h (11.2mph).
“It is expected to move in the general direction of the vicinity of Hainan Island and maintain a distance of more than 600 kilometres from Hong Kong during the day today,” it said.
“The Observatory will consider issuing the Standby Signal No 1 this evening to tonight.”
The forecaster urged residents to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water spots as there might be swells in the ocean.
Hongkongers on Saturday can expect hot weather with sunny intervals, with isolated thunderstorms at first and temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius (80.6 to 89.6 Fahrenheit).
Squally showers are forecast for Sunday and Monday under the influence of the cyclone.
The Observatory has urged the public to check for the latest forecasts.
