Hong Kong to assess cyclone warning as Tropical Storm Narra nears Guangdong coast

Hong Kong's weather forecaster will determine next week if a tropical cyclone warning is necessary as Tropical Storm Narra approaches the coast of Guangdong. According to the Hong Kong Observatory on Saturday, the storm is anticipated to remain over Beibu Wan, or the Gulf of Tonkin, before gradually shifting east to northeast early next week.

The Observatory will continuously monitor its trajectory and any modifications to local wind conditions, and evaluate the requirement for issuing tropical cyclone warning signals early in the coming week. Narra, named after a tree species in the Philippines, is projected to approach the Leizhou Peninsula and the western Guangdong coast.

The forecaster predicts a cloudy and rainy week ahead, with coastal areas becoming windier and facing sporadic heavy showers and squally thunderstorms from early to midweek. Clear skies are not expected until Friday. As of 8am on Saturday, Narra was situated approximately 650km west of Hong Kong, with maximum sustained winds of 65km/h near its center.

The tropical storm is expected to intensify over the next few days. The forecaster has estimated Narra's maximum sustained wind speed to reach 85km/h on Sunday and Monday. Narra is projected to lessen into a tropical depression on Wednesday, with maximum wind speed anticipated to drop to 55km/h. The No 1 Standby Signal may be issued when a tropical cyclone is centered within approximately 800km of Hong Kong and could impact the city.