Hong Kong eyes higher typhoon signal as Tropical Cyclone Saudel shifts course

Hong Kong’s weather forecaster may issue a higher typhoon signal closer to the weekend after Tropical Cyclone Saudel experienced a rare resurgence and could change its course over the South China Sea, edging towards the Pearl River Delta.

The Observatory said the standby No 1 typhoon signal would remain in force on Wednesday, as Saudel moved across the northeastern South China Sea.

“Under the combined effect of Saudel and the northeast monsoon, local winds are occasionally strong offshore and on high ground. The Standby Signal No 1 is expected to remain in force for the rest of [Wednesday],” the forecaster said.

Hong Kong’s weather on Wednesday is expected to be mainly cloudy with a few squally showers, with maximum temperatures hitting about 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit).

But the Observatory warned that Saudel would linger over the northeastern South China Sea on Wednesday night and Thursday before potentially changing course in the following days.

“It will then have a higher chance of turning westwards, skirting the coast of eastern Guangdong and edging closer to the vicinity of the Pearl River Delta again around Friday to Saturday,” it said.

“There [will be] rather large uncertainties in its intensity by then. The Observatory will closely monitor the movement of Saudel and assess the need to issue the Strong Wind Signal No 3 when it edges closer to the Pearl River Delta.”