Saudel Regenerates Into Tropical Depression; No.1 Signal Issued for Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Observatory issued Standby Signal No.1 at 6:10pm on August 31 as the remnant vortex of Typhoon Saudel re-intensified into a tropical depression over the South China Sea. The storm, which had made landfall on the Zhejiang coast days earlier, is now tracking eastward and could pass approximately 200 kilometers south of Hong Kong on September 1, the first day of the new school year. Combined with the northeast monsoon, the system is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the territory through mid-week.

With approximately 500,000 students returning to school on September 1, parents and educators face the challenge of navigating severe weather conditions. The combination of Saudel's remnant and the northeast monsoon creates compound wind effects that could intensify beyond current warnings, potentially requiring an upgrade to Strong Wind Signal No.3 389. --- Detailed Report The remnant vortex of Typhoon Saudel (沙德爾), which had weakened after making landfall on the Zhejiang coast on August 28, has shown remarkable signs of regeneration. The China Meteorological Administration (中央氣象台) reported that the remnant vortex entered Guangdong Province on the evening of August 30, moving from Cengxi City in Wuzhou, Guangxi, to Maoming City in Guangdong. By 5am on August 31, the system was positioned over coastal waters east of Leizhou Peninsula (雷州市), moving at 15 to 20 kilometers per hour in a south-southeast to eastward direction 1. Taiwan's Central Weather Weather Administration (中央氣象署) announced that as of 8am on August 31, Saudel had already re-intensified into a tropical depression and could develop into a typhoon within 24 hours. The agency noted that an extensive low-pressure trough stretching from mainland China to eastern Taiwan is continuously providing moisture to sustain the storm's remnant circulation 2. Meanwhile, a Pacific high-pressure ridge branch is bringing northerly winds that have pushed the remnant toward the South China Sea, where it can absorb new energy and regenerate 2. The Hong Kong Observatory took pre-emptive action by issuing a Special Weather Tip at around 8:30am on August 31, warning that Saudel's remnant was bringing unstable weather to the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island regions. By 12:25pm, the Observatory issued a Yellow Rainstorm Warning, which was later cancelled at 2:05pm. At 6:10pm, the Observatory officially issued Standby Signal No.1 5689. According to the Observatory, the No.1 signal will remain in effect until at least noon on September 1. As of late evening on August 31, Hong Kong is experiencing generally moderate to fresh northerly winds, but due to terrain shielding, the likelihood of widespread strong winds during daytime hours remains low 81011. As Saudel approaches the coast of eastern Guangdong from tonight through September 2, local wind speeds are expected to gradually increase. The Observatory will assess whether to issue Strong Wind Signal No.3 based on the storm's intensity, the proximity of its gale-force zone to the Pearl River Estuary, and actual wind conditions in Hong Kong 3810. The Japan Meteorological Agency's forecast shows Saudel making a "boomerang" turn, moving east-northeast at approximately 20 kilometers per hour after crossing near Hainan Island, with the center passing about 200 kilometers south of Hong Kong around midday September 1. The system is predicted to intensify to typhoon strength with maximum sustained winds of 18 meters per second, equivalent to a tropical storm on Hong Kong's classification scale 34. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration offers a slightly different projection, suggesting Saudel will make landfall near Chaozhou in eastern Guangdong around September 4, bringing it even closer to Hong Kong's vicinity 4. The Observatory's nine-day weather forecast indicates that on September 1, Hong Kong will experience mostly cloudy skies with occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms, particularly affecting some areas. Winds will blow from the north at Force 4 to 5, strengthening to Force 6 offshore and on high ground. Sea conditions will be rough with swells. Temperatures will range from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius 349. On September 2, conditions will remain mostly cloudy with occasional heavy showers in the afternoon and brief sunny periods. Winds will shift to northwesterly at Force 4 to 5, occasionally reaching Force 6 offshore and on high ground, with temperatures reaching a high of 31 degrees 34. By September 3, as Saudel moves to waters east of Hong Kong, the territory will experience northwesterly winds at Force 4 to 5, mostly cloudy skies with one or two scattered showers and brief sunny periods, with temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees 4. Hong Kong recorded significant rainfall in the hours leading up to the No.1 signal issuance. In the past two to three hours, many areas received approximately 10 millimeters of rain, while eastern New Territories recorded over 20 millimeters. Earlier in the day, some western New Territories areas recorded over 50 millimeters 71011. The Observatory has urged members of the public, particularly students returning to school and commuters, to check the latest weather information before heading out on September 1. Additionally, a broad trough of low pressure continues to affect the Guangdong coast and the northern South China Sea, bringing unstable weather to the region 579. Meanwhile, another tropical disturbance in the Pacific east of the Philippines is expected to gradually intensify and move toward the Ryukyu Islands over the next two to three days, suggesting another potential tropical cyclone may be forming 49.