The Hong Kong Observatory said it will consider whether to hoist Typhoon Signal No. 1 on Saturday as Tropical Depression Mawar draws closer to the city.

The storm was centred about 190 kilometres east of Dongsha at 4pm Friday, according to the Observatory. It is predicted to move slowly and linger over the northeastern part of the South China Sea.

“Mawar moved generally northward today, adopting a track farther away from Hong Kong,” the Hong Kong Observatory said on Friday afternoon.

mawar
Photo: HKO.

“Mawar is expected to intensify progressively and make landfall over the coast of eastern Guangdong on Sunday.”

The Observatory added that the storm’s threat to Hong Kong remained relatively low in the short-term.

weather
Photo: HKO.

Mawar is the third storm to hit the city over the past two weeks. Typhoon Hato triggered a No. 10 Hurricane Signal last week, as Tropical Cyclone Pakhar led to the T8 storm signal being raised last Sunday.

The weather forecast is mainly cloudy with a few showers, with heavier rain accompanied by squally thunderstorms on Friday evening and Saturday. It will remain wet into next week.

Karen is a journalist and writer covering politics and legal affairs in Hong Kong for HKFP. She has also written features on human rights, public space, regional legal developments, social and grassroots activism, and arts & culture. She is a BA and LLB graduate from the University of Hong Kong.