- Hong Kong Observatory could issue No 1 typhoon warning signal ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit
- President Xi expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon for a two-day trip to mark the 25th anniversary of city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1
Hong Kong Observatory warns strong winds and showers are possible with tropical depression heading towards west of Hong Kong and Guangdong province. Photo: Dickson LeeHong Kong could issue the No 1 typhoon warning signal as early as Wednesday night, the Observatory said, ahead of President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1.
The Hong Kong Observatory on Wednesday warned that strong winds and showers were possible.
“The Observatory will consider issuing the standby signal No 1 tonight depending on the change in local wind strength,” it said in a notice shortly after 1pm.
Tips to avoid heatstroke, exhaustion this summer
The Chinese president is expected to travel to the city by high-speed rail on Thursday afternoon for a two-day trip, with several outdoor visits anticipated, including to the Hong Kong Science Park.
An area of low pressure over the central part of the South China Sea had intensified into a tropical depression and remained more than 800km from Hong Kong, the weather forecaster said.
Kok Mang-hin, an acting senior scientific officer with the Observatory, said that as the tropical depression was heading towards the west of Hong Kong and Guangdong province, the wind would gradually pick up strength starting on Thursday.
“The wind will further intensify on July 1 with a chance of a strong wind and downpour,” he added.
But Kok said it was too early to predict whether the No 8 typhoon signal would be issued, given the distance, although computer-generated calculations had indicated the tropical depression was unlikely to change its course.
The Observatory’s website showed the probability of the tropical depression reaching the west of Hong Kong stood at between 50 and 60 per cent.