Tropical Storm Wipha: Hong Kong Observatory to issue T1 signal at midnight

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The Hong Kong Observatory will issue a No 1 typhoon signal at midnight as Tropical Storm Wipha edges closer to the city, with the forecaster warning of strong winds and torrential rain over the weekend.

The forecaster said at 4pm on Friday that the storm, the name of which comes from a Thai female given name, was expected to enter within 800km (497 miles) of the city in the early hours of Saturday, adding that it would issue the warning at midnight.

The tropical cyclone is likely to skirt about 50km from the city on Sunday, according to the Observatory.

“The weather will be adverse on Sunday with heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Seas will be very rough with swells,” it said, warning residents to stay away from the shoreline.

The forecaster said it would consider whether to upgrade the signal during the early hours of Sunday.