1st September 2026 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong may be upgraded to a No 3 strong wind signal as early as Wednesday while tropical depression Saudel strengthens and curls back toward the Pearl River estuary, the observatory warned after squally showers already drenched parts of the territory.
In its 11.45am storm bulletin, the Hong Kong Observatory said Saudel and the northeast monsoon were bringing moderate to fresh north winds locally, with strong winds offshore at times. Terrain shielding meant widespread strong winds were unlikely during daylight on Monday, and the Standby Signal No. 1 would remain in force at least until 6.00pm.
Saudel is expected to skirt about 200 kilometres southeast of Hong Kong in the afternoon, then intensify tonight and on Tuesday as it edges toward the eastern Guangdong coast. Winds over the city will rise gradually. The observatory said it would weigh Saudel’s strength, how close its strong-wind zone comes to the Pearl River mouth and changes in local conditions before deciding whether to issue the No 3 signal.
Outer rainbands are already affecting Hong Kong with squally showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall of about 10 millimetres was recorded in many areas in the past two to three hours, with more than 20 millimetres in eastern New Territories. Further squally showers and thunderstorms are expected on Monday, and residents were urged to monitor updates.
At noon, Saudel was centred about 280 kilometres south of Hong Kong as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds near its centre of 55 kilometres per hour. The observatory’s track chart shows it moving northeast, strengthening to tropical storm strength by Tuesday morning, then turning west on Thursday when it is about 400 kilometres from Hong Kong — a looping path that could bring it near waters off Shantou on Friday before weakening again.
Saudel may linger over the northern South China Sea and along eastern Guangdong on Thursday, and its later track and intensity remain uncertain. Separately, tropical cyclone Krovanu is forecast to strengthen over the next day or two and move toward the Ryukyu Islands, becoming a tropical storm on Tuesday and tracking near the Ryukyu chain on Wednesday and Thursday before heading toward seas south of Japan’s Kyushu by Sunday while maintaining its strength.
The nine-day outlook shows Tuesday urban temperatures of 26 to 31 degrees Celsius with humidity between 70 and 95 per cent, north to northwest winds at force 4 to 5 and up to force 6 offshore and on high ground, squally showers and rough seas. Wednesday and Thursday stay cloudy with scattered showers and highs around 30 degrees. Conditions should ease later in the week, with light winds and temperatures up to 32 degrees by Sunday, though showers may return early next week.