Storm Mawar might ruin Hongkongers' weekend

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If you had to cancel your boat trip last week because of bad weather, we're sorry to report there is a good chance you also won't be able to enjoy the ocean this weekend.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has predicted the city might be hit by the third typhoon in two weeks. Storm Mawar, the Malay word for rose, is expected to follow the route taken by Hato and Pakhar, two storms that hit Hong Kong and Macau causing destruction and loss of life.

According to the predictions, Mawar will cross the Philippines on Thursday or Friday and gather enough strength afterward to be upgraded to a tropical storm.

The ECMWF initially predicted Mawar would make landfall east of Hong Kong at Shanwei, but adjusted the forecast early last Sunday to say it might land near the southern part of Hong Kong. Per the current prediction the typhoon will affect the Kowloon Peninsula, Lantau Island and the western part of the New Territories before heading north, with wind speeds between 88 to 117 kilometers per hour.

Global Forecast System (GFS) has also adjusted its initial prediction that Mawar will hit Taiwan, to it landing near Daya Bay, only 150 kilometers east of Hong Kong.

At the time of publishing, the Hong Kong Observatory reported tropical depression Mawar will linger around the sea areas to the west of Luzon and will be slow moving. It will keep a distance from Hong Kong today (Friday) at first.

Mawar is expected to intensify and move gradually in the general direction of eastern Guangdong to the Pearl River Estuary in the next couple of days. When Mawar takes on a more definite northerly track and edges closer to the coast of Guangdong, the Observatory will consider issuing the Standby Signal No. 1 during the day today (Friday).

The weather on Saturday and Sunday is expected to deteriorate progressively, members of the public should be aware of possible changes in weather in planning activities on Saturday and Sunday.

Timing wise, employers don't have to worry about employees missing time at work since all forecasts have predicted the typhoon will hit on Sunday. Similar to what happened with Typhoon Pakhar on Sunday, employees are going to be ready for work next Monday.

ALSO READ: Mannings slammed for ‘poor staff arrangements’ during typhoon Hato

Photo/ Hong Kong Observatory