The No 1 typhoon warning issued at 1.40am on Friday will remain in force until at least 6pm, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
The weather forecaster said Severe Tropical Storm Trami was estimated to be about 730km southeast of Hong Kong as of 9am and expected to move west or west-northwest at about 14km/h across the central and northern parts of the South China Sea.
“Its associated strong winds are not yet affecting the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary,” the forecaster said. “The No 1 standby signal will remain in force until at least 6pm.”
It added that due to the terrain sheltering effect, the wind in general over the city would not be strengthened significantly.
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“The need to issue the No 3 warning signal will depend on the distance between Trami and Hong Kong and the change in local wind strength,” the Observatory said.
According to the present forecast track, Trami will move gradually towards the vicinity of Hainan Island.
Local winds will weaken later on Sunday. But the forecaster warned there could be uncertainties in its subsequent movement.
Trami is a Vietnamese word for a tree in the rose family.