*Tropical Storm Alert*

Tropical Storm Nangka Approaching Hong Kong, Typhoon Signal 3 Hoisted - 26th June 2009 0830z

Latest visible satellite image shows burst of convection over the centre of tropical storm Nangka as it approaches Hong Kong and the south coast of China. Image courtesy of NRL Monterey.

Tropical storm Nangka has battled the effects of high vertical wind shear and is now approaching Hong Kong and south China as a minimal tropical storm. Nangka is expected to make landfall near Hong Kong as a minimal tropical storm sometime in the next few hours

The government of Hong Kong has now issued typhoon signal 3.

The storm passed through the central Philippines earlier this week reportedly killing eight people.

For more information on the track and intensity of the storm please visit the following links:

Japanese Meteorological Agency

Hong Kong Observatory

HKO Radar

Below is an extract from the latest warning issued by Hong Kong Observatory:

Tropical Cyclone Bulletin

Here is the latest Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued by the Hong Kong Observatory.

The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 was issued at 3:40 p.m.

This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected.

At 4 p.m., Tropical Storm Nangka was estimated to be about 220 kilometres southeast of Hong Kong (near 20.8 degrees north 115.6 degrees east) and is forecast to move north or north-northwest at about 22 kilometres per hour towards the coast of eastern Guangdong.

According to the latest forecast track, Nangka will be closest to Hong Kong around midnight. Local winds are expected to strengthen gradually. Heavy rain will start to affect Hong Kong overnight.

Unless Nangka significantly strengthens or adopts a more westward track, the chance of Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 is not high.

Latest position and track update from HKO at 1600 HKT