The Hong Kong Observatory raised the amber rainstorm warning signal around noon on Monday as it considered hoisting the lowest-tier typhoon warning signal later tonight.

The observatory issued the amber alert at 12:25 pm, which meant that heavy rain, exceeding 30 millimeters in an hour, has fallen or was expected to fall generally over Hong Kong.

It warned members of the public that the heavy downpours might cause flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas.

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The observatory said earlier that it will consider hoisting the Standby Signal, No 1 on Monday night as the remnant of tropical cyclone Saudel gradually edges closer to the territory.

The low pressure system was forecast to intensify gradually into a tropical depression as it moves across the northern part of the South China Sea towards the vicinity of southeastern Hainan Island, the HKO said. 

The storm is expected to edge closer to the coast of eastern Guangdong on Tuesday and on Wednesday, with showers and squally thunderstorms forecast in Hong Kong on Tuesday.  

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The observatory said it will closely monitor the low pressure system’s movement and changes in local wind conditions, and assess the need for issuance of higher tropical cyclone warning signals.

The weather in Hong Kong on Monday will be mainly cloudy with a few showers and sunny intervals during the day. Temperatures will range from 27 to 31 degrees Celsius, it added.