The Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) said this morning that the probability of hoisting Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 between midnight and tomorrow morning is "high".
According to the bureau's website, Signal No.8 indicates that "winds with a sustained speed of 63 to 117 km/h are expected or blowing and the gusts may exceed 180 km/h in Macau".
Macau's tropical cyclone warning system comprises Signals No.1, No.3, No.8, No.9, and No.10. Standby Signal No.1, which indicates that a tropical cyclone is centred within 800 km of Macau and may affect the city, is currently in force and will be replaced with Signal No.3 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. today, the weather station said. Signal No.3 warns that "under the influence of a tropical cyclone, winds with a sustained speed of 41 to 62 km/h are expected or blowing and gusts may exceed 110 km/h in Macau."
The bureau said in a statement this morning that Tropical Cyclone “Wipha” will take a northwest course and move generally toward the Guangdong coast. Affected by “Wipha”’s circulation, winds and rains will intensify later today, the observatory said. Therefore, it pointed out, the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 3 will be issued between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. today.
“Tomorrow, ‘Wipha’ will edge relatively close to the Pearl River Estuary, with its impact on Macau then being the most noticeable.
"Winds in Macau will significantly strengthen from tomorrow morning, accompanied by squally showers and thunderstorms.
"As a result, the likelihood of issuing the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 will be high between midnight and tomorrow morning,” according to the statement.
Concerning a probable storm surge, the timing of a rise in the water level in relation to the astronomical tide “is being dynamically assessed,” the bureau said, adding that heavy rain at the same time may cause flooding over low-lying areas, including those in the Inner Harbour neighbourhood. The Blue Storm Surge Warning was issued at 2 p.m. today. The warning warns that the water level is expected to be below 0.5 meter above road level. The Blue Storm Surge Warning is the lowest of a 5-level warning system.
“Due to uncertainties about the movement and strength of the tropical cyclone, the probability that ‘Wipha’ will be very close to Macau cannot be ruled out at present”, the bureau warned, urging “the public to monitor the latest weather information and take precautions against strong winds and flooding, such as securing doors and windows as soon as possible.”
