The Hong Kong Observatory announced that Standby Signal No. 1 remains in effect and is expected to be maintained for most of the day today (June 11).
As of 8:00 a.m., a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea was located about 740 kilometers south of Hong Kong, near latitude 15.7 degrees North and longitude 113.4 degrees East. It is moving west-northwest at about 12 km/h, heading across the central South China Sea toward Hainan Island.
According to the current forecast path, the tropical depression will remain more than 700 km away from Hong Kong today. Strong winds are not expected over the city yet, but outer rainbands associated with the system are already affecting the northern South China Sea and the coastal areas of Guangdong.
The Observatory predicts that the system will gradually strengthen over the next day or two, moving towards Hainan Island and then shifting towards the western coast of Guangdong. Depending on its intensity, distance from Hong Kong, and local wind conditions, the Observatory will assess whether to issue Strong Wind Signal No. 3 between tomorrow (June 12) and Friday (June 13).
Forecasts also indicate that the tropical depression will strengthen into a tropical storm on June 12 and further into a severe tropical storm by June 13 before weakening.
As the tropical cyclone approaches the coastal regions later this week, strong winds and heavy showers are expected. The sea will be rough with swells. The Observatory urges the public to stay away from shorelines and suspend all water activities.
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