The Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) has announced that it will hoist Strong Wind Signal No. 3 (T3) at 4 p.m. today, warning that there is a “medium” probability of hoisting Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 this evening or early tomorrow.
T3 indicates that, under the influence of a tropical cyclone, winds with a sustained speed of 41 to 62 km/h are expected or blowing, with gusts that may exceed 110 km/h in Macau.
T8 indicates that winds with a sustained speed of 63 to 117 km/h are expected or blowing, with gusts that may exceed 180 km/h in Macau.
Standby Signal No. 1 (T1) remains hoisted for the time being, the bureau said. T1 indicates that a tropical cyclone is centred within 800 km of Macau and may affect the region. Macau has a five-level storm warning system: T1, T3, T8, T9, and T10.
According to an SMG statement this afternoon, Tropical Cyclone “Matmo” was moving rapidly across the central and northern part of the South China Sea, heading towards the Chinese mainland’s Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Province while gradually intensifying. The statement cautioned that from this afternoon, winds in Macau will significantly strengthen, accompanied by intermittent heavy showers. The observatory also said that as Matmo is expected to be closest to Macau early toorrow or tomorrow morning, Macau will be on the periphery of its strongest wind zone (Force 8 or above). Moreover, the bureau noted that as Matmo may grow into a super typhoon, it will consider issuing a higher tropical cyclone signal tonight or early tomorrow, depending on Matmo's path and changes in intensity.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the astronomical spring tide, the statement added that low-lying areas may experience flooding caused by storm surges. Therefore, the bureau issued the Blue Storm Surge Warning at 12:00 noon today. The Blue Storm Surge Warning is the lowest in Macau’s five-level Storm Surge Warning System. The bureau forecasts flooding in low-lying areas between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Additionally, the observatory has issued its Yellow Hot Weather Alert for today, warning that temperatures are expected to rise to 33°C or above. “The public are advised to beware of heatstroke and drink water in a timely manner,” it said.
The Yellow Hot Weather Alert is the lowest in the bureau's two-level Hot Weather Alert system. While "Yellow" warns of "very hot" weather, "Orange" indicates "extremely hot" weather.
At 3 p.m. today, Macau's temperature stood at 30 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity amounted to 65 percent.
At 2 pm, Tropical Cyclone Matmo was estimated to be about 470 km south-southeast of Maca, according to the bureau.
