Yinxing, which means “ginkgo seeds” in Chinese, has intensified from a severe typhoon into a super typhoon. - Photo: Nora Tam
HONG KONG: Intense rain and strong gusts will hit Hong Kong starting at around midnight on Saturday (Nov 9) as Severe Typhoon Yinxing nears, while another tropical cyclone is due to arrive next week.
The Observatory said the No 3 signal was expected to remain in force until 10am Sunday.
The weather forecaster issued the signal at 3.40pm on Saturday as Yinxing edged closer to the coast of southern China.
If the second storm next week also triggers a warning, it will be the first time two typhoons have struck in November since 1954.
The forecaster said the warning signal would remain in force until at least 10am on Sunday, with Yinxing expected to skirt more than about 300km (186 miles) to the south of Hong Kong between Saturday evening and Sunday.
The city was expected to see intense rain accompanied by sudden and strong winds around midnight under the combined effect of Yinxing and the northeast monsoon.
“The intense rainband over the waters south of Hong Kong will edge closer to the coast of Guangdong around midnight, bringing squally showers to the region. There may also be violent gusts,” the Observatory said.
But the chance of issuing a higher warning signal would remain low, according to the forecaster.
Yinxing, which means “ginkgo seeds” in Chinese, has intensified from a severe typhoon into a super typhoon.
“Yinxing maintained its super typhoon intensity and gradually edged closer to the coast of southern China. Yinxing has a compact circulation,” the forecaster said.
Yinxing will gradually turn southwestwards away from the coast of Guangdong on Sunday.
“Depending on the degree of weakening of local winds, the Observatory will then consider issuing the standby signal No 1,” it said.
The Observatory called on members of the public to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports as seas would be rough with swells.
Saturday has been mainly cloudy with a few showers and temperatures between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius, according to the forecaster.
But at least one more tropical storm is likely to come close to Hong Kong next week after Yinxing departs, according to the Observatory’s forecast.
A tropical depression is now on the east side of the Philippines and is likely to move near the coast of southern China.
“As it is still rather far away, it remains uncertain how strong it would be and the predicted route,” said Kok Mang-hin, acting senior scientific officer at the Observatory.
The current forecast predicted that the tropical depression, set to intensify into a severe tropical storm, would enter within 400km of the city between Wednesday and Thursday.
Whether the storm would warrant a warning signal would depend on how close it was to Hong Kong and its strength, Kok said.
Kok said the city was last hit by two November typhoons in 1954, triggering warnings in a single week.
Satellite images also showed there were some convective clouds further east of the incoming tropical depression, but Kok said it remained uncertain whether those would develop into a third tropical storm.
The expected strong wind over the weekend has caused the cancellation of some events, including the annual New World Harbour Race.
The Hong Kong China Swimming Association, the organiser of the race, announced on Saturday that the event would be cancelled.
The association said the decision was made “upon careful consideration” as the warning signal was expected to last for a while. It also said it hoped to ensure participants and staff members were safe.
It added all participants would receive a full refund, with further details to be announced on its website.
A carnival to celebrate one year to go until the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities has also been called off. The event was set to be held in the Central and Western District Promenade on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities cancelled “A Symphony of Lights”, a nightly light and sound show in Victoria Harbour, on Saturday due to the weather. - South China Morning Post
