The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) has raised the no. 1 typhoon signal and says there is a “medium” probability of a no. 3 signal being raised on Saturday morning – possibly in the early hours. Tropical Cyclone Koinu was located about 780 kilometres east of Macao at 5:00 am. According to the latest forecast, it is moving west towards the eastern coast of Guangdong and approaching the Pearl River Estuary during the weekend.
Meteorologists expect that Tropical Cyclone Koinu will weaken slowly under the influence of the northeast monsoon, but Macao can expect strong winds in the coming days as well as rainfall. The probability of a storm surge warning being issued is low, however.
[See more: Winds and hot weather brewing as tropical cyclone Koinu moves closer to Macao]
The last two typhoons to affect Macao were Soala and Haikui, causing significant flooding in the city in late August and early September.
The territory has also experienced its wettest summer in 15 years. Monthly rainfall between June and 21 September averaged at more than 375 millimetres.
The SMG says signal No.1 will remain in effect today.
