Observatory Issues T3 Signal As Ma-on Edges Closer

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Standby Strong Wind Signal No.3 at 12:40pm on Wednesday, and said it will consider issuing the T8 signal between 6pm and 9pm as Severe Tropical Storm Ma-on continues to edge closer towards Hong Kong.

At noon, Ma-on was centred about 440km southeast of Hong Kong, and is forecast to move in the general direction of the coast of western Guangdong.

An acting senior scientific officer at the observatory, Or Ming-keung, says the local weather will worsen as the typhoon moves closer to the SAR.

"Ma-on will intensify gradually and is expected to be closest to Hong Kong tomorrow morning and may skirt within about 200km south-southwest of the territory, posing a considerable threat to Hong Kong," he said.

"The outer rain bands associated with Ma-on will bring squally showers and thunderstorms later today and local winds will strengthen tonight."

The storm is forecast to have maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres an hour when it makes landfall on Thursday morning.