Hot weather alert set to persist in Hong Kong on Saturday
Tropical Cyclone Danas, known as Typhoon 4 or Bising in the Philippines, is currently situated approximately 411 km southeast of Hong Kong. The storm is moving westward at a slow pace of 7 km/h (4 knots), but is expected to shift northward over the next 24 hours.
According to meteorological predictions, after the initial northward movement, Danas is forecast to track north-northeastward along the western edge of a subtropical ridge. This trajectory is expected to continue for about three days before the system turns westward into mainland China as the ridging to the north stops its northward progress.
The storm is anticipated to pass near Taiwan between Sunday and Monday morning, potentially crossing the Taiwan Strait, and is expected to approach Taiwan between July 7-9. Heavy rainfall is anticipated, particularly in southern and southeastern mountainous areas of Taiwan, with other regions experiencing localized downpours.
Currently, the wind speed of Danas is about 75 km/h, with a maximum wind speed of 140 km/h forecasted. The storm is expected to intensify rapidly over the next 24 hours as wind shear reduces, and it is predicted to reach its peak intensity of 140 km/h within 36 to 48 hours.
While the storm is expected to pass far from Hong Kong and Macao, warning signals are in place. Hong Kong is under Typhoon Signal No. 1, with a low chance of higher signals being issued. Macao is preparing for possible warning signals. The circulation of tropical cyclone Danas is relatively small, which may contribute to its slow movement and potential for rapid intensification.
As Danas moves through the South China Sea, it is expected to skirt about 400km (248 miles) southeast of Hong Kong for the rest of Saturday and Sunday morning. The Hong Kong Observatory has issued a No. 1 typhoon warning for Saturday, which applies to Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to the tropical cyclone, a very hot weather warning has also been issued, with temperatures expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) or above on Saturday and Sunday. Readers are encouraged to support SCMP's journalism by subscribing. For those new to SCMP, the updated SCMP app offers a seven-day free trial.
The Tagalog meaning of Danas is "to experience" or "to feel". If tropical cyclone Danas does not intensify significantly or adopt a track closer to the Pearl River Estuary, there will not be strong winds generally over the territory. It is important for residents to stay informed and prepared for any potential weather-related impacts.
Weather-forecasting predicts that after the initial northward movement, Tropical Cyclone Danas is expected to track north-northeastward along the Western edge of a subtropical ridge, potentially affecting weather conditions in regions like Taiwan and China. The weather conditions forecasted for Taiwan include heavy rainfall, particularly in southern and southeastern mountainous areas, and possibly strong winds depending on the intensity of Danas.
