Hong Kong may issue a No. 3 typhoon signal on Saturday as Tropical Storm Noul approaches, with the city’s observatory tracking the storm’s west-northwest movement and warning of strengthening winds and squally showers.
The Hong Kong Observatory has signaled it will consider upgrading to the No. 3 typhoon warning by Saturday afternoon as Severe Tropical Storm Noul draws closer, according to SCMP. The storm, currently 710km east-southeast of Hong Kong, is forecast to pass more than 300km away on Friday evening and Saturday morning but will bring gradually intensifying winds and sporadic heavy rain. By Saturday afternoon, the observatory said it could raise the warning to No. 3, with maximum sustained winds near the center reaching 140km/h.
The weather forecaster issued the No 1 signal at 8.40pm on Friday and said it would remain in force at least until noon the following day. As at the morning of July 24, Noul was north-east of Philippine capital Manila, moving west-north-west at around 25kmh to 30kmh, according to the city’s observatory. The tropical storm is forecast to move within 800km of Hong Kong later in the day, with the observatory saying it would raise the city’s lowest typhoon signal by 8.40pm local time on July 24 and assess the need to raise the warning as Noul draws nearer.
Typhoon Noul’s Approach and Hong Kong’s Response
The MTR Corporation has already announced cancellations of over 100 high-speed rail services between Friday evening and Sunday, citing the risk of adverse weather. The Observatory’s Yeung Hon-yin, a senior scientific officer, said the storm was forecast to reach the northeastern part of the South China Sea near the coast of eastern Guangdong over the weekend, positioning it as a potential threat to Hong Kong’s southern coastal areas. Local winds are anticipated to strengthen, with squally showers becoming more frequent through Saturday.
Despite the storm’s projected distance, the observatory emphasized that the No. 3 signal would be triggered if conditions warrant, reflecting the city’s cautionary approach to tropical systems. The storm’s trajectory has been closely monitored, with forecasts indicating it will maintain a west-northwest path across the South China Sea, avoiding direct landfall in Hong Kong but still influencing regional weather patterns.
Broader Impacts on Southern China
China’s mainland weather authorities have warned of heavy rainfall and flood risks as Noul nears the southern coast. Meteorologists predict cumulative rainfall of 500–600mm in localized areas of eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian, exacerbating flood risks during the region’s peak flood season.
Guangdong province has already begun suspending rail services, with all high-speed and regular trains halted by July 26. In Zhuhai, ferry services and coastal attractions will be closed on July 25 and 26. The storm’s arrival follows recent torrential rains that triggered landslides in Chongqing, adding to the pressure on flood control systems across southern China.
Guangdong and Fujian are among China’s wettest provinces, each averaging roughly 2,000mm of rain every year. The name Noul was contributed by North Korea and refers to the glow of sunrise or sunset in Korean. REUTERS
Unresolved Questions and Regional Preparedness
While both Hong Kong and mainland China have initiated precautionary measures, uncertainties remain about Noul’s exact path and intensity. The storm’s potential to strengthen into a typhoon by Saturday afternoon could alter its impact on the region. Officials in Guangdong and Fujian are closely monitoring the situation, with emergency protocols activated for coastal areas. However, the storm’s ability to maintain strength as it moves inland and the accuracy of rainfall forecasts will determine the scale of disruptions.
For now, the focus remains on mitigating risks through infrastructure checks, public advisories, and transport adjustments. As Noul continues its west-northwest trajectory, the next 48 hours will be critical in assessing whether the No. 3 typhoon signal is warranted in Hong Kong and how the storm’s evolution affects broader southern China. China is entering its peak flood control window – known as Qixia Bashang – from mid-July to mid-August. Weather experts warn that extreme rainfall will increase in frequency and intensity over the coming weeks, with much of northern China set to experience 20 per cent to 50 per cent more rain than usual.
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