When the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued the No. 8 Storm Signal at 9.20pm on Sunday, we bet Hongkongers across the territories collectively prayed for the signal to last until today so everyone can skip work on Monday, and well, we manifested it!
As of 10am, the severe tropical storm Tapah – named after the Malay term for a giant freshwater catfish – was centred about 170km west of Hong Kong, and is expected to move northwest, making landfall over Taishan in Guangdong. Tapah’s rainbands will continue to bring heavy squally showers to the region today, with gale force winds affecting the territories and winds offshore and on high ground reaching storm force. Maximum gusts recorded at Ngong Ping have already exceeded 140km per hour, and Lei Yue Mun has been battered with collapsed scaffolding, fallen lamp posts, and huge waves. The sea is very rough with swells, and a combination of spring tide and storm surges means an increased risk of flooding, especially in low-lying areas. Tai O and Tsim Bei Tsui have already recorded high water levels.
In these conditions, the HKO will keep the T8 signal in force until 1pm, before lowering it to the Strong Wing Signal No. 3 at 1.10pm. Unless Tapah moves closer to the Pearl River Delta or intensifies, it is unlikely a signal higher than T8 will be issued.
All-day school and classes have been cancelled for Monday, September 8. Given that the T8 will only be lowered in the afternoon, it is unlikely that most workplaces will insist on their employees physically returning to work today. The Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui have suspended their services temporarily, as have a number of other ferry services.
In the wake of tropical cyclone Tapah, there will be showers and thunderstorms over the region until midweek. With an anticyclone aloft expected over southeastern China in the latter part of this week, Hong Kong can expect the weather to be fine and persistently very hot from Friday, September 12 into early next week, with the mercury forecast to reach 34 degrees Celsius.
Keep an eye on the weather on the HKO website.
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