The JTWC did not upgrade the system in their live bulletins, but confirmed its tropical depression status in a later reassessment, in which the number 01W was assigned.
As the webmaster was out travelling, bulletin #2 for 90W was skipped and #1 was changed to a final bulletin. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Tropical disturbance 90W in northern South China Sea intensified into a tropical depression last night. At 8 am, 90W was centred about 290 km (160 NM) SW of Hong Kong. The HK Observatory issued the #1 Standby Signal at 9:40 pm last night, and subsequently upgraded it into the #3 Strong Wind Signal at 5:40 am today.
90W is situated west of a broad subtropical ridge that covers eastern South China Sea and a wide area of the Pacific Ocean. The storm is expected to move in a generally northerly direction towards coastal Guangdong, and should make landfall this afternoon.
90W has a well-defined low-level circulation centre but its convections are concentrated in its southern semicircle. Due to its proximity to land, 90W is not expected to strengthen further; it should make landfall as a tropical depression and will weaken quickly thereafter.
Fresh to strong east turning to southerly winds are expected today, with squally showers. Winds will subside tonight as the storm starts to weaken inland.