Macao meteorologists say they will raise the no. 1 typhoon signal in the early hours of tomorrow as tropical storm Wipha enters within an 800-kilometre radius of the territory.
When a no. 1 signal is in force, residents are asked to pay close attention to the latest information on tropical cyclones. The locations of objects that may be blown down or destroyed by strong winds – such as plant pots and outdoor furniture – must be noted and drains cleared. Scaffolds and hoardings should be checked for stability and vessels should consider seeking safe haven.
In a dispatch at 3:30 am, the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (known by its Portuguese initials SMG) said “It is expected that the tropical cyclone will move towards western Guangdong coastal areas. As there is still uncertainty in its track and intensity, SMG is closely monitoring its development and movement.”
In Hong Kong, roughly 60 kilometres from Macao, the local observatory said that it would issue the no. 3 signal tomorrow and has not ruled out the possibility of a no. 8 signal as Wipha edges closer to the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday.
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Under Hong Kong’s typhoon warning system, a no. 8 signal indicates that a gale or storm force wind is blowing or expected to blow generally near sea level, with a sustained wind speed of 63 to 117 kilometres an hour and gusts that may exceed 180 kilometres per hour.
Meanwhile an amarelo (yellow) hot weather alert is in force in Macao today, indicating that temperatures in excess of 33°C are expected. At 7:45 am, the temperature had already risen above 30°C at each of Macao’s weather measuring stations, with a high of 31.7°C at Porto Exterior.
Helpline Peng On Tung told local media that it was dealing with about 10 cases of heatstroke a day as Macao endures persistently sweltering conditions.
The SAR issued its first laranja (orange) or extreme hot weather warning on 5 July, when a maximum temperature of 35°C was recorded.
