Hong Kong set to swelter in 39-degree heat; T1 signal issued at 10.20pm

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No 1 typhoon signal at 10.20pm as an area of low pressure has intensified into a tropical depression, warning also that it will remain extremely hot on Saturday with temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius in some areas.

The forecaster said on Friday night that the tropical depression, off Luzon in the Philippines, was centred within 800km of Hong Kong.

“The Observatory will issue the standby signal No 1 at 10.20pm,” it said, adding that it would assess the need for issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals on Sunday.

Under the influence of an anticyclone aloft, the local weather will still be mainly fine on Saturday, according to the forecast.

It will be extremely hot during the day with temperatures of about 35 degrees in urban areas, while the mercury could reach 38 or 39 degrees over the northern part of the New Territories.