Hong Kong Observatory says T3 signal to stay in force until early Saturday morning as Tropical Storm Maliksi approaches
- Tropical Storm Maliksi will make landfall around midnight but chance of upgrading No 3 signal is low, weather forecaster says
- Amber rainstorm cancelled 1½ hours after being issued; residents told to brace for heavy squally showers and thunderstorms ahead
The Hong Kong Observatory has warned the No 3 typhoon signal will stay in force until 6am on Saturday but is unlikely to be upgraded as Tropical Storm Maliksi approaches.
“Unless Maliksi intensifies rapidly or adopts a track closer to Hong Kong, the chance of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals will be rather low,” the Observatory said.
The upgraded signal over Maliksi, which means “fast” in Tagalog, was issued at 4.40pm on Friday. The storm was forecast to be “slow-moving at first” and would later move north at about 15km/h (9mph), making landfall on the coast of western Guangdong province from this evening until early Saturday morning before heading inland.
“The extensive intense rainbands to its south will gradually affect the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary. There will be heavy showers and strong winds over the regions,” the forecaster said, adding that high grounds would also have occasional gale winds on Saturday.
An amber rainstorm warning was cancelled at 5pm, 1½ hours after being issued.
