The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the No 1 typhoon signal at 10.20pm on Saturday night, with higher warnings possible on Sunday as the city faces occasional squally showers and thunderstorms.
The weather forecaster said an area of low pressure over the central and northern parts of South China Sea had intensified into a tropical depression.
“Under the combined effect of the tropical depression and the ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, local winds will strengthen tomorrow,” a spokesman said.
The Observatory warned it might upgrade the warning signal on Sunday morning.
Rainbands associated with the low pressure area have affected the coast of Guangdong province. As the area moves north, it is expected to bring occasional squally showers and thunderstorms to the city.