Macau's observatory hoisted the Signal No. 3 this afternoon as Tropical Storm Cempaka was edging closer to the city.
The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) issued the signal at 2:30 p.m.
According to an SMG statement, Signal No. 3 "will remain in effect during the day" and "winds will strengthen."
At 2 p.m., Cempaka was located about 120 km south-southwest of Macau and moving towards the western coast of Guangdong province, the statement said, urging motorcyclists to travel between the peninsula and Taipa through the motorcycle land on Sai Van Bridge.
The bureau also said that there was a "medium" probability of hoisting Signal No. 8 tomorrow. "If Cempaka intensifies further and moves closer to Macau, the possibility of issuing Typhoon Signal No. 8 should not be neglected."
Signal No. 3 means that under the influence of a tropical cyclone, winds with a sustained speed of 41 to 62 km/h are expected of blowing and gusts may exceed 110 km/h in Macau, according to the bureau.
Signal No. 8 indicates that under the influence of a tropical cyclone, winds with a sustained speed of 63 to 117 km/h are expected or blowing and gusts may exceed 180 km/h in Macau.
Meanwhile, the weather bureau issued its "blue" storm warning at 3:15 p.m. An SMG statement forecast that flooding "will occur" in low-lying areas between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. tomorrow.
