The No 1 typhoon warning signal will remain in force on Wednesday, with Hong Kong’s weather forecaster cautioning that Tropical Cyclone Saudel might again move closer to the city from Friday to Saturday.

Saudel adopted a northeastward track on Wednesday morning and its distance from Hong Kong was increasing gradually, but it could again change direction on Friday and move back towards the city, the Hong Kong Observatory said in a weather bulletin on Wednesday morning.

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Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the observatory said the tropical cyclone was estimated to be about 250 km south-southeast of Hong Kong. By around 9 am Wednesday, it was estimated to be about 300 km east-southeast of the city and was forecast to move northeast at about 10 kph. 

“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 today,” the HKO said.

The Standby Signal, No 1 – the city lowest-tier typhoon signal – means that a tropical cyclone is centered within 800 km of Hong Kong.

The observatory said Saudel was forecast to linger over the northeastern part of the South China Sea on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. 

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“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 Estuary again around Friday to Saturday,” it said, adding that are “large uncertainties” about its intensity by then.

The observatory said it will closely monitor the Saudel’s movement and assess the need of issuing the Strong Wind Signal, No 3 when it edges closer to the Pearl River Estuary.

Hong Kong is expected to have mainly cloudy weather on Wednesday, with a few squally showers and a maximum temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius, the HKO added.