Shenzhen Typhoon Warning Issued, HK Follows


ShekouDaily   |   August 10, 2018

UPDATE: As of 5pm, the SZMB’s White Typhoon Alert was no longer in force. We will no longer be updating this page.


UPDATE – 7am August 15: HKO Cancelling all signals. SZMB White Typhoon Alert still in force.

All signals were cancelled at 5:20 a.m.

At 5 a.m., Tropical Storm Bebinca was centred about 220 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong (near 21.0 degrees north 112.6 degrees east) and is forecast to move west at about 8 kilometres per hour skirting the coastal waters of western Guangdong, generally towards the vicinity of Leizhou Peninsula. ~Dispatched by Hong Kong Observatory at 05:25 HKT on 15.08.2018

We’ll continue to update this page as more information becomes available.

Note: You may need to refresh the page to see the latest info.


UPDATE: 9:15pm August 14th

In the past few hours, Bebinca moved slowly in a more westerly track, and maintained a distance of over 100 km from Hong Kong. According to the present forecast track, Bebinca is expected to move further away from the territory tomorrow.

The Observatory will cancel all Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals when Bebinca no longer poses a threat to Hong Kong.

UPDATE: 7pm August 14th

At 7 p.m., Tropical Storm Bebinca was estimated to be about 160 kilometres south-southwest of Hong Kong (near 21.0 degrees north 113.5 degrees east) and is forecast to move north-northwest slowly, gradually edging closer to the vicinity of the coast of western Guangdong.

In the past few hours, Bebinca remained slow-moving. According to the present forecast track, Bebinca is expected to skirt about 100 km southwest of Hong Kong from tonight to tomorrow morning. Unless Bebinca intensifies significantly or adopts a more northeasterly track, the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 will remain in force for a period of time.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 7pm

UPDATE: At 1:45 p.m., the HKO issued their Thunderstorm Warning. It will be valid until 5:00 p.m.


UPDATE – 12:30pm: The SZMB’s Blue Typhoon Alert and the HKO’s Strong Wind Signal No. 3 are both still in effect.

At noon, Tropical Storm Bebinca was estimated to be about 150 kilometres south-southwest of Hong Kong (near 21.0 degrees north 113.7 degrees east) and is forecast to move slowly northward, gradually edging closer to the Pearl River Estuary.

According to the present forecast track, it is expected that the chance of Gales or Storm Signal, No. 8 before 6 p.m. is relatively low.

Rain bands associated with Bebinca will bring squally showers to the territory. The public should stay on the alert and take note of the latest weather situation.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 12 noon

UPDATE – August 14th, 8am: The SZMB’s Blue Typhoon Warnings is now in effect as is the HKO’s Strong Wind Signal No. 3. Although the storm has been lingering in the area since Friday, this is the first time the warnings have reached this level.

The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 is in force.

This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected.

At 8 a.m., Tropical Storm Bebinca was estimated to be about 170 kilometres south-southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.8 degrees north 113.8 degrees east) and is forecast to move slowly northward, edging closer to the Pearl River Delta region later.

According to the present forecast track, Bebinca will move slowly northward but will still maintain a distance from Hong Kong in the morning. It is expected that the chance of Gales or Storm Signal, No. 8 before 2 p.m. is not high.

Bebinca is forecast to edge closer to the Pearl River Delta region later today. Its associated rain bands will bring squally showers to the territory. The public should stay on the alert and take note of the latest weather situation.

Precautionary Announcements with No. 3 Signal

1. Please take precautions now. Make sure objects likely to be blown away are securely fastened or taken indoors.

2. Drains should be cleared of leaves and rubbish.

3. Owing to storm surge, some low-lying areas may have flooding or backflow of seawater. Please take precautions, and stay away from dangerous places.

4. Seas are rough and there are swells, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

5. Avoid staying in areas exposed to high winds. Drivers using highways and flyovers should be alert to violent gusts.

6. Small vessels not yet in typhoon shelters should seek shelter without delay. Use heavy anchors and check that all deck fittings are firmly fastened.

7. Listen to radio, watch TV or browse the Hong Kong Observatory’s website and mobile app for the latest information on the tropical cyclone.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 8am

UPDATE – August 13th, 6:30pm: The SZMB’s White Typhoon Warning and the HKO’s Standby Signal No. 1 are both still in effect. 

According to the present forecast track, Bebinca is expected to be slow moving and will still be relatively erratic. Unless Bebinca intensifies significantly or adopt a more northeasterly track closer to the Pearl River Delta region, the chance of issuing the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 before midnight tonight is relatively low.

The Observatory will closely monitor the development and movement of Bebinca. The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 will only be considered when local wind is expected to strengthen.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 6pm

UPDATE – August 13, 10:30am: After three days in the area, the storm has been given a name. Welcome, Bebinca.

At 10 a.m., Bebinca was estimated to be about 240 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.6 degrees north 112.8 degrees east) and is forecast to move slowly, lingering around the seas off the coast of western Guangdong.

According to the present forecast track, Bebinca is expected to be slow moving. Bebinca will maintain a distance of about 200 kilometres from Hong Kong during daytime. Unless Bebinca intensifies significantly, the chance of issuing the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 during daytime is relatively low.

The track of Bebinca will still be relatively erratic. The Observatory will closely monitor the development and movement of Bebinca. The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 will only be considered when local wind is expected to strengthen.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 10am

UPDATE – August 13th, 7am: The SZMB’s White Typhoon Warning and the HKO’s Standby Signal No. 1 are both still in effect. 

The tropical storm strengthened slightly overnight and edged a little closer to the Pearl River Delta region, but still maintained a distance of over 200 kilometres from Hong Kong. According to the present forecast track, local winds are not expected to strengthen significantly this morning, the chance of issuing the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 before noon today is not high.

The track of the tropical storm will still be relatively erratic. The Observatory will take into consideration the variation in local wind strength and movement of the tropical storm to consider whether to issue the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 later during the day today.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 7am

UPDATE – 3pm: The SZMB’s Yellow Rain Storm Warning has been cancelled.


UPDATE: At 1:20pm the SZMB issued their Yellow Rain Storm Warning.

UPDATE: The HKO has extended their Thunderstorm warning to at least 4:30pm today.


UPDATE – 11am: The HKO Issued their Thunderstorm Warning at 10:23am. The SZMB has cancelled their Rainstorm Warning.


UPDATE – August 12, 10am: The SZMB’s White Typhoon Warning and the HKO’s Standby Signal No. 1 are still in effect. The SZMB also issued a Rainstorm Warning for the DaPeng New District and Eastern Sea area at 8:05am this morning.

At 10 a.m., the tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea was estimated to be about 260 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong (near 21.0 degrees north 112.1 degrees east) and is forecast to move slowly, lingering around the seas off the coast of western Guangdong.

The track of the tropical depression is relatively erratic. It took on a more easterly track this morning, edging closer to the Pearl River Delta region. The Observatory will take into consideration the variation in local wind strength to consider whether or not to issue the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 this afternoon and tonight.

The rainbands associated with the tropical depression will bring occasional heavy showers and squalls to Hong Kong in the next couple of days.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 10am

UPDATE: As of 5pm, only the SZMB’s White Typhoon Warning and the HKO’s Standby Signal No. 1 are in effect.

At 5 p.m., the tropical depression over the coast of western Guangdong was estimated to be about 260 kilometres west of Hong Kong (near 22.1 degrees north 111.7 degrees east) and is forecast to move slowly, lingering over the coast of western Guangdong.

The rainbands associated with the tropical depression are expected to bring occasional showers and squalls to the territory in the next couple of days. The tropical depression is expected to linger over the coast of western Guangdong. The Standby Signal, No. 1 will be in effect for a period of time.

UPDATE – 2pm: The HKO has extended their Thunderstorm warning to at least 5pm today.


UPDATE – 1pm: The SZMB’s Yellow Rainstorm is no longer in effect.


UPDATE – August 11th, 12:20: The HKO has cancelled their Amber Rainstorm warning.


UPDATE – August 11th, 12 noon: The HKO has extended their Thunderstorm warning to at least 2pm today. The SZMB has cancelled their Yellow Rainstorm warning for the Western part of the city. It remains in effect for the Eastern Land Areas.

UPDATE: The HKO Thunderstorm Warning has been extended to at least noon today and at 10:10am the SZMB extended their Rainstorm Warning to the entire city of Shenzhen.


UPDATE: August 11, 2018 9am – The HKO issued their Thunderstorm Warning at 5:15 this morning. It has been extended to at least 10am. They also issued their Amber Rainstorm Warning at 7:15 this morning. 

At 8 a.m., the tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea was estimated to be about 300 kilometres west-southwest of Hong Kong and is forecast to move northeast slowly, lingering around the seas off the coast of western Guangdong.

In the past few hours, the tropical depression strengthened slightly and moved slowly to the northeast. Rainbands associated with the tropical depression are bringing heavy showers and squalls to Hong Kong. The Observatory will continue to closely monitor its development and movement, and will take into account the variation of local wind strength in deciding whether or not to issue the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.

The Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau (SZMB) issued their Yellow Rain Storm Warning for the Western areas of Shenzhen at 7:45 this morning.

SZMB Weather Forecast as of 8:45am

UPDATE: The HKO’s Thunderstorm Warning has been extended to midnight. The SZMB’s Yellow Rain Storm Warning has been cancelled.


UPDATE:  HKO’s Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal was cancelled at 6:50 p.m. Their Thunderstorm Warning issued at 3:30 p.m. on 10 Aug 2018 has been extended until 9:00 p.m. today. 


UPDATE: At 4:15pm, the HKO issued their Amber Rainstorm Warning and at 4:55pm the SZMB issued their Yellow Rain Alert.

Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal Special Announcement issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at 4:15 p.m.

The Rainstorm Warning Signal is now Amber. This means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.

There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. People who are likely to be affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risk posed by the heavy rain and flooding.

Heavy rain may bring about flash floods. People should stay away from watercourses. People who are likely to be affected by flooding should take necessary precautions to avoid losses.

The SZMB forecasts heavy rains in the 6pm and 7pm hours.

UPDATE: A new Thunderstorm Warning was issued by the HKO at 3:30 p.m. on 10 Aug 2018 and will remain in force until 5:30 p.m. today. A few squally thunderstorms are expected to occur over Hong Kong. Gusts reaching 70 kilometres per hour or above may affect Hong Kong.

Members of the public are advised to take the following precautions when thunderstorms occur:

1. Stay indoors. Seek shelter in buildings if you are engaging in outdoor activities.

2. Do not stand on high grounds. Keep away from highly conductive objects, trees or masts.

3. Take precautions against violent gusts. Beware of flying debris and falling objects.

4. Drivers using highways and flyovers should reduce speed to be alert to violent gusts.

Heres an updated SZMB weather forecast

UPDATE:

The HKO issued their Thunderstorm Warning at 12:45 p.m. on 10 Aug 2018. It will be valid until 2:45 p.m. today.

Isolated squally thunderstorms are expected to occur over Hong Kong. Members of the public are advised to take the following precautions when thunderstorms occur:

1. Stay indoors. Seek shelter in buildings if you are engaging in outdoor activities.

2. Do not stand on high grounds. Keep away from highly conductive objects, trees or masts.


At 5pm last night, the Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau issued their White Typhoon Warning for the land area of Shenzhen as well as the Western and Eastern Sea Areas. 

The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted their Standby Signal No. 1 last night as well. Both are in response to a tropical cyclone over the northern part of the South China Sea. 

As of 11am this morning, it was about 410 km southwest of Hong Kong with maximum sustained wind near center 45 km/h. According to the SZMB’s forecast, we should be seeing some rain most of the day.

HKO’s Precautionary Announcements with No. 1 Signal

  1. Every precaution should be taken. Objects likely to be blown away should be secured or taken indoors. Check if all windows and doors can be securely locked.
  2. Drains should be cleared of leaves and rubbish. People in low-lying areas should take precautions against flooding.
  3. People planning to visit Guangdong, Macau, outlying islands or remote parts of Hong Kong should note that changes in weather may affect your trips.
  4. There may be swells, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline.
  5. Construction and property management practitioners should make sure that overhanging facilities and temporary structures outdoors are securely fastened, and should take precautionary measures.
  6. Listen to radio, watch TV or browse the Hong Kong Observatory’s website and mobile app for the latest information on the tropical cyclone.