The Macao government issued typhoon signal no. 1 at 11 am today, after tropical cyclone Yinxing entered within 800 kilometres of Macao.
The signal will remain in effect over the course of Friday, according to the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (known by its Portuguese initials SMG). There is a “medium” possibility of typhoon signal no. 3 being hoisted sometime tomorrow between the afternoon and evening, the bureau says.
SMG tracking data shows that Yinxing was situated approximately 700 kilometres to the SAR’s southeast as of 11 am. The storm is predicted to continue drawing closer to the city over this weekend, reaching within 450 kilometres of Macao on Sunday morning, before heading away in a westerly direction.
“Yinxing is expected to continue moving westwards across the northern part of the South China Sea, but its intensity and path remain uncertain,” the SMG said.
[See more: Meteorologists may issue the no.1 signal as tropical cyclone Yinxing gets closer]
As a result of the incoming tropical storm and the northeast monsoon, Macao’s weather is expected to cool over the next few days, especially during the mornings and evenings. The tide levels around the city’s coast are expected to rise as well, with the SMG noting that there is a “low to medium chance” of a blue storm surge warning being issued.
Neighbouring Hong Kong is also bracing for Yinxing, with its observatory issuing a signal no. 1 at 12:40 pm today.
Formed earlier this month in an area to the east of the Philippines, Typhoon Yinxing has already devastated the Southeast Asian country, resulting in the deaths of at least 150 individuals and the displacement of thousands more.
As a result of climate change, meteorologists expect the number of typhoons in the Pearl River Delta this year to be much higher than in the past, with one estimate putting the figure between five and eight.
