The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) says it will consider issuing a T3 on Wednesday afternoon as Severe Tropical Storm Toraji continues to move towards Hong Kong.

The forecaster said it expects Toraji will skirt around 200 kilometres to the south of the territory on Thursday morning.

"Depending on the intensity of Toraji at that time, the distance of its associated gale winds from the Pearl River Estuary, and the change in local wind conditions, the observatory will assess the need of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals," said Senior Scientific Officer Lee Shuk-ming.

The existing T1 will remain in force until at least midday on Wednesday as Toraji is expected to maintain quite some distance from the SAR for the time being.

Winds are expected to strengthen on Wednesday, the HKO said.

The observatory also warned people to stay away from the shoreline and to avoid water sports.