The Hong Kong Observatory has said it will consider issuing the No 1 standby typhoon signal over the weekend, as it tracks a low-pressure system that could approach the city and bring stormy weather.

The forecaster said on Wednesday that the area of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea was moving westward and edging closer to the southern section of the mainland Chinese province of Hainan.

“There are relatively large uncertainties in the movement of the area of low pressure after moving across Hainan Island,” it said.

The Observatory said the system could move northwards towards the vicinity of the Gulf of Tonkin, also known as Beibu Wan, in the run-up to the weekend.

It added that there was also a “chance of recurving” to the east, which would bring it closer to the coast of Guangdong.

“The Observatory will closely monitor its intensity and movement, and assess the need for issuing the Standby Signal, No 1, by then,” the forecaster said.