Tropical storm ‘Francisco’ poses low risk to Macau

Tropical Storm Francisco is not expected to pose a direct threat to Macau, despite forming northeast of the Philippines and gradually intensifying, local meteorological authorities said yesterday.

The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) stated that while the storm is forecast to strengthen as it moves toward the waters south of Okinawa, “the possibility of a direct impact on Macau is low.”

At a press conference in Beijing, Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of the National Climate Center (NCC), said, “One or two typhoons are likely to form in the northwest Pacific over the next 10 days.”

Meteorological models suggest Francisco may affect coastal provinces in southern China, particularly Fujian and Zhejiang, bringing potential heavy rain and strong winds.

Meanwhile, the SMG is forecasting persistent heat and high humidity in Macau today and tomorrow, with temperatures ranging from 26 degrees Celcius to 33 degrees.

“The maximum UV index is expected to reach 12, classified as extreme,” the bureau warned.

The Hong Kong Observatory noted that the tropical cyclone is expected to linger over northern Luzon in the coming days, gradually intensify, and then move toward the seas east of Taiwan.

Meteorologists expect the storm to remain over 600 kilometers away from both Macau and Hong Kong. NS