Hong Kong Observatory cancels all typhoon signals as Tropical Cyclone Maliksi weakens
- Weather forecaster lowered the T1 signal at 5.40pm
- Strong monsoon signal was issued at 5.42pm
The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled all typhoon signals on Saturday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Maliksi had weakened into an area of low pressure after earlier coming within about 200km (124 miles) of the city.
The weather forecaster said it lowered the No 1 signal at 5.40pm.
Maliksi, which means “fast” in Tagalog, landed in the vicinity of Qingyuan in Guangdong province.
But its effects will linger, with more showers and occasional squalls forecast for the Pearl River Delta on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
“Members of the public should stay on the alert,” the Observatory said.
The strong monsoon signal was issued at 5.42pm, signifying that winds with mean speeds of more than 40km/h were expected from the southwest.
Areas of high ground in Hong Kong recorded gale-speed winds in the afternoon.
At Ngong Ping, where the city’s Big Buddha statue is located, maximum sustained winds hit 78km/h and the strongest gusts exceeded 96km/h at one stage.
Maximum sustained winds reached 45km/h at both Cheung Chau and Green Island, while gusts of 54m/h and 56km/h, respectively, were clocked at two locations.
The Observatory warned residents to avoid taking part in water sports, urging them to stay away from the shoreline as seas will be rough with swells.
Temperatures will range between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius (79 and 84 Fahrenheit) on Saturday, with south to southwest winds reaching a force of 5 to 6 and occasionally 8 on high ground.
