The Observatory says a stormy stretch starts Monday, with a trough of low pressure over the northern South China Sea and two possible cyclones lining up within ten days. Nobody knows yet if either one turns into something that actually shuts the city down, but the warning itself already changes people's weekends. Wet markets sell more instant noodles before a signal 8. Hikers cancel Sunday plans on Dragon's Back. Contractors on scaffolding jobs start watching their phones instead of their blueprints.

Hong Kong runs almost entirely on a number from one building in Tsim Sha Tsui. Signal 8 goes up, the whole city stops, schools close, buses stop, your boss finally lets you go home. Signal 3 stays up, you're still expected at your desk getting soaked walking to the MTR. One number decides your whole day, and this week that number might get decided twice. Keep an eye on the Observatory's site after Monday, and watch whether the second system firms up before or during the workweek.