 The initial disturbance formed in the South China Sea in late June as a monsoon depression . A weak low @-@ level circulation formed on June 27 , but convection remained far from the center . By June 29 , convection had become nearer to the center and it qualified as a tropical depression . No additional development was seen through June 30 as the system moved northward . The cyclone turned east @-@ northeast , paralleling the coast of China . When tropical storm force winds were observed in Hong Kong , the cyclone was upgraded to a tropical storm late on June 30 . Winds gusted to 53 knots ( 98 km / h ) at Tate 's Cairn , and 279 @.@ 2 millimetres ( 10 @.@ 99 in ) of rain fell from the cyclone . Quickly weakening back to a tropical depression early on July 1 , Tess dissipated as it approached the Formosa Strait . 
