The Observatory expects more typhoons in coming months – in line with its prediction that six to nine big storms will strike within 500 kilometers of Hong Kong this year, which it classed as “near normal to higher than the normal level”.
Forecasters at the weather bureau predicted in March that four to seven tropical cyclones would sweep through in 2017. However, after the first eight months, six cyclones or typhoons have already hit the city, HK01.com reported.
Four of these – Merbok, Roke, Hato and Pakhar – were strong enough to draw a no.8 typhoon warning from the Observatory. Two others, Haitang and Mawar, achieved lower warnings.
A No. 10 signal, the highest weather alert, was given when Hato hit Hong Kong on August 23.
Meanwhile, the Observatory said on Wednesday that tropical cyclone Guchol will move in the general direction of the Taiwan Strait and the coast of Fujian.
It is expected to keep some distance from Hong Kong and weaken gradually in the next couple of days.