Typhoon Warnings Issued in Shenzhen for TS Wipha


ShekouDaily   |   July 31, 2019

UPDATE: The HKO cancelled all typhoon warnings at 8:40 a.m. August 2nd. The SZMB cancelled theirs at 10 a.m. This page will no longer be updated.

At 9 a.m., Tropical Storm Wipha was centred about 530 kilometres west-southwest of Hong Kong (near 21.2 degrees north 109.2 degrees east) and is forecast to move west slowly across the coast of Guangxi to the vicinity of Beibu Wan.

Wipha is moving across Beibu Wan and continues to depart from Hong Kong, but its outer rainbands will bring occasional heavy squally showers and thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong. Members of the public should remain on the alert.


UPDATE:  The HKO downgraded to the Standby Signal, No. 1 at 7:25 p.m.

Tropical Storm Wipha has made landfall over Zhanjiang of Guangdong. At 7 p.m., Wipha was estimated to be about 400 kilometres west-southwest of Hong Kong (near 21.2 degrees north 110.5 degrees east) and is forecast to move northwest or north-northwest at about 12 kilometres per hour across western Guangdong.

The outer rainbands of Wipha will still bring occasional heavy showers and squalls to the territory. There are still swells over the sea. You are advised to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

There will be occasional strong winds over offshore waters and on high ground at first. When local winds weaken further, the Observatory will cancel all tropical cyclone warning signals. 

Precautionary Announcements with No. 1 Signal

1. Strong winds are still blowing over offshore waters occasionally. Small vessels should remain in shelter and precautions should not yet be relaxed.

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


UPDATE: As of 4 p.m. August 1st, the SZMB’s Blue Typhoon Warning and the HKO’s Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 are still in force. Here is the latest Tropical Cyclone Warning Bulletin issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at 3:45 p.m.

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 4 p.m., Tropical Storm Wipha was estimated to be about 370 kilometres west-southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.9 degrees north 110.9 degrees east) and is forecast to move north or north-northwest at about 10 kilometres per hour across western Guangdong.

We’ll continue to update this page with any news as it becomes available

UPDATE: The HKO announced that at 7 a.m., August 1st, Tropical Storm Wipha was estimated to be about 450 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.0 degrees north 110.6 degrees east) and is forecast to move northwest or west-northwest at about 12 kilometres per hour across the northern part of Hainan Island and the vicinity of Leizhou Peninsula.

Although Wipha gradually departs from Hong Kong, strong winds are still generally affecting the territory. There are occasional gales over offshore waters and on high ground at first. The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 will remain in force this morning.

The rainbands associated with Wipha will still bring occasional heavy showers and squalls to the territory. Seas are rough with swells. You are advised to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Cheung Chau Beach, Tai Mei Tuk and Tate’s Cairn were 69, 64 and 62 kilometres per hour with maximum gusts 97, 83 and 89 kilometres per hour respectively.


UPDATE: The HKO downgraded their warning to the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 at 11:40 p.m. This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected.

At midnight, Tropical Storm Wipha was estimated to be about 370 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.1 degrees north 111.5 degrees east) and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 20 kilometres per hour towards the vicinity of Leizhou Peninsula.

Although Wipha gradually departs from Hong Kong, strong winds are still generally affecting the territory. There are occasional gales over offshore waters and on high ground at first. The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 will remain in force for a period of time. You are advised to take note of the latest weather bulletin before departing on Thursday morning.

The rainbands associated with Wipha will still bring occasional heavy showers and squalls to the territory. Seas are rough with swells. You are advised to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Tate’s Cairn, Tai Mei Tuk and Tap Mun were 66, 64 and 64 kilometres per hour with maximum gusts 89, 94 and 90 kilometres per hour respectively.

HKO’s Precautionary Announcements with No. 3 Signal

  1. Strong winds are still blowing. You should not relax taking precautions. Beware of falling objects in winds. Do not touch electric cables that have been blown loose.
  2. It is not yet safe for small vessels to leave typhoon shelters.
  3. Listen to radio, watch TV or browse the Hong Kong Observatory’s website and mobile app for the latest information on the tropical cyclone.

UPDATE: The HKO Issued the No. 8 Northeast Gale or Storm Signal at 1:40 p.m. This means that winds with mean speeds of 63 kilometres per hour or more are expected from the northeast quarter.

At 2 p.m., Tropical Storm Wipha was centred about 340 kilometres south of Hong Kong (near 19.3 degrees north 113.6 degrees east) and is forecast to move northwest at about 15 kilometres per hour towards the vicinity of western Guangdong.

According to the present forecast track, Wipha will edge gradually closer to the coast of western Guangdong and will be closest to Hong Kong later today, skirting around 300 kilometres to our southwest. The Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 is expected to remain in force for most of rest of today.

The rainbands associated with Wipha are bringing heavy showers and squalls to the territory. Seas are rough with swells. You are advised to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Tate’s Cairn, Waglan Island and Cheung Chau Beach were 69, 67 and 65 kilometres per hour with maximum gusts 93, 94 and 69 kilometres per hour respectively.

HKO;s Precautionary Announcements with No. 8 Signal

  1. Complete all precautions in your home. Lock all windows and doors, insert reinforced shutters and gates if they are available. Drains should be cleared of leaves and rubbish as soon as possible.
  2. Park your car where it is safe.
  3. Do not stand near windows on the exposed side of your home. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter, should windows be broken.
  4. Owners of neon signs should switch off the electricity supply to the signs.
  5. Please listen to radio or watch TV for the latest weather information broadcast.

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m., the Shekou Ferry is no longer selling tickets to or from Shekou for today.


UPDATE: At 11:55 a.m. the HKO issued their Amber Rainstorm Warning. 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.


UPDATE: At 11:40 a.m., The Hong Kong Observatory announced that the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 8 is expected to be issued at or before 2:00 p.m. today (31 Jul 2019). Winds locally will strengthen further.

The Government advises members of the public with long or difficult home journeys or having to return to outlying islands to begin their journeys now. The Government is now making arrangements to release its employees accordingly.

Announcement by the Education Bureau (EDB):

The EDB announces that classes of all schools are suspended today.


The Shenzhen Metereological Bureau (SZMB) and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), first raised their first storm advisories yesterday as Tropical Storm Wipha appeared several hundred kilometers south of Shenzhen. At 10 p.m. the SZMB raised their Typhoon Warning to Blue.

The HKO’s Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 is now in force as well. This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected.

At 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Wipha was estimated to be about 380 kilometres south of Hong Kong (near 18.9 degrees north 113.7 degrees east) and is forecast to move northwest at about 15 kilometres per hour towards the vicinity of western Guangdong. 

In the past few hours, Wipha adopted a more northerly track. According to the present forecast track, Wipha will edge gradually closer to the coast of western Guangdong and will be closest to Hong Kong later today, skirting around 300 kilometres to our southwest. Local winds are expected to strengthen this afternoon. The Observatory will consider issuing the Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 between noon and 2 p.m.

The rainbands associated with Wipha will bring heavy showers and squalls to the territory. Seas will also be rough with swells. You are advised to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

The SZMB has also issued a Yellow Rainstorm Warning citywide, and the HKO has issued their Thunderstorm Warning, valid until at least 3 p.m. today.

Thunderstorm Warning issued at 3:45 a.m. on 31 Jul 2019 has been extended until 3:00 p.m. today. Squally thunderstorms are expected to occur over Hong Kong. Gusts exceeding 70 kilometres per hour were recorded at Waglan Island and Tap Mun at around 11:00 a.m. respectively.

Gusts reaching 80 kilometres per hour or above may continue to affect Hong Kong.

HKO’s 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. Check if all windows and doors can be securely locked.
  2. Drains should now be cleared of leaves and rubbish. People in low-lying areas should take precautions against flooding.
  3. Avoid staying in areas exposed to high winds. Drivers using highways and flyovers should be alert to violent gusts.
  4. Construction and property management practitioners should make sure that overhanging facilities and temporary structures outdoors are securely fastened or placed on the ground, and complete precautionary measures as soon as possible.
  5. Small vessel owners should now complete all safety arrangements and return to nearby typhoon shelters.
  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.

SZMB’s weather forecast for today, as of 11 a.m.