The Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) said this morning that there is a "medium to relatively high" probability that it will hoist Typhoon Signal No. 8 tonight or early tomorrow. 

The observatory hoisted Storm Storm Signal No. 3 at 2 a.m. this morning. 

According to a statement by the weather station, Severe Tropical Storm “Chaba” is expected to move northwest and generally towards the western coast of Guangdong. It will move closest to Macau between this evening and tomorrow morning. As “Chaba” is gradually intensifying and thereby may develop into a typhoon, and it may take a more northerly path approaching Macau, the wind force in Macau may reach the lower bound of the wind force of Typhoon Signal No. 8. 

The observatory said it will consider issuing Typhoon Signal No. 8 between nighttime and midnight depending on the development of “Chaba” and changes in the local wind situation. 

Under the influence of the outer circulation of “Chaba”, its related rainband will bring unsettled weather to Macau. The winds will intensify, with frequent showers and thunderstorms from today to tomorrow, showers and thunderstorms will become more frequent, with heavy showers and, occasionally, gusty winds. 

Meanwhile, as the storm is occurring during the high phase of the astronomical tide today and tomorrow, slight flooding has occurred in the Inner Harbor area this morning. 

Under the combined influence of a storm surge and persistent rain, floods of around 0.50 metre are expected to occur between tomorrow early morning and noon. The Blue Storm Surge Warning was issued at 2 p.m. today. At the same time, since “Chaba” may edge closer to Macao, the possibility of a Yellow Storm Surge cannot be ruled out, the observatory said. 

According to the buereau, Typhoon Signal No. 8 means that a tropical cyclone continues to approach Macau. Winds with sustained speed of 63 to 117 km/h are expected or are blowing and the gusts may exceed 180 km/h in Macau. 

Signal No. 8 is Macau's third highest storm warning signal (after Standby Signal No. 1 and Strong Storm Signal No. 3). Signals No. 9 and No. 10 are Macau's highest storm warning signals. Signal No. 10 means that the centre of a tropical cyclone is forecast to hit Macau directly, with winds with a sustained speed exceeding 118 km/h are expected or are blowing in Macau, as well as gusts of great intensity.

At 4 p.m., "Chaba" was located about 340 km south of Macau, moving toward the western coast of Guangdong province, the weather station said. 

Source: SMG