Classes at kindergartens and schools for children with disabilities will be suspended for the day as Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen continued to affect the region.

The Hong Kong Observatory said the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 will remain in force until at least 6pm on Tuesday, as Fengshen, combined with the northeast monsoon, is expected to bring strong winds, rain, and cooler temperatures to the territory.

The system was moving away from the territory on Tuesday morning, after passing over 400 kilometres to the south of Hong Kong.

“Unless Fengshen intensifies significantly, the chance of issuing higher Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals is relatively low,” the observatory said in a statement.

The weather forecaster also said the outer rainbands of Fengshen are affecting the area, and rain will be “more frequent at times locally today.”

“Under the combined effect of spring tide, the northeast monsoon and Fengshen, water levels over local coastal areas will be generally 0.5 to 1 metre higher than normal in the next couple of days,” it added.

The observatory warned that there may be flooding at some low-lying coastal areas during the high tides at night, noting that the water level over Victoria Harbour will rise to around 3 metres above Chart Datum – a reference level for tidal heights.