Under the influence of Podul, it will be very hot over Guangdong, with heat-triggered showers set to affect the city later on Wednesday, forecaster says.

Observatory predictions show the storm will strengthen to typhoon level and could move to within 400km of the city on Thursday.

Forecaster will assess the need to issue higher warning signals later on Wednesday to early Thursday.

City expected to experience heavy downpours, violent storms on Thursday amid ‘obvious changes’ over later this week.

Under the influence of Podul, it will be very hot over Guangdong, with heat-triggered showers set to affect the city later on Wednesday, forecaster says.

At 7am, Tropical Storm Podul was estimated to be about 260km northeast of Hong Kong.

But Education Bureau says if warning is lowered to amber at or before 10.30am, afternoon school classes will proceed as usual.