The Hong Kong Observatory says the Strong Wind Signal No 3 will remain in force until at least noon on Wednesday, unless an approaching storm intensifies significantly or tracks closer to the city.

At 4.45am, Tropical Storm Mulan was estimated to be about 440 kilometres south-southwest of Hong Kong. The Observatory said that, unless Mulan intensifies significantly or local winds show a clear sign of strengthening, the chance of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals is not high.

The storm is forecast to move northwest at about 18 kilometres per hour towards the vicinity of western Guangdong and Hainan. It's expected to pass closest to Hong Kong on Wednesday morning, but won't get within 350 kilometres of the the SAR.

Forecasters said they did expect the storm to intensify gradually and it was already bringing heavy showers, violent gusts and thunderstorms to Hong Kong. The Observatory said that the region of gale force winds near the centre of Mulan is relatively small and it is still quite far from the SAR.

The government said classes of kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability would be suspended on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Macau authorities said they would raise the No 8 typhoon signal at 7am on Tuesday.
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Last updated: 2022-08-10 HKT 05:44