Hong Kong’s weather forecaster could issue a higher typhoon signal closer to the weekend after Tropical Cyclone Saudel experienced a rare resurgence, with the potential to change course over the South China Sea and edge towards the Pearl River Delta.
The Observatory said the No 1 typhoon signal would remain in force for the rest of Wednesday and into Thursday morning, as Saudel was expected to linger over the northeastern South China Sea and remain about 300km (167 miles) or more from the city.
“Under the combined effect of Saudel and the northeast monsoon, local winds are occasionally strong offshore and on high ground. The No 1 signal is expected to remain in force for the rest of [Wednesday] and into [Thursday] morning,” the forecaster said.
Saudel is a name provided by the Federated States of Micronesia and refers to the guards of a legendary ruler of Pohnpei, one of the country’s islands.
Hong Kong is expected to remain mainly cloudy on Wednesday, with a few squally showers and maximum temperatures of about 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit).
But the Observatory warned that Saudel would gradually turn westwards on Thursday and skirt the coast of eastern Guangdong, bringing uncertainty in the days that followed.
