Observatory to issue T8 signal between 4pm to 7pm

The Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 will be issued between 4 pm and 7 pm as Super Typhoon Yagi edged closer to Hong Kong, said the Observatory.

The weather watchdog said Yagi will skirt around 300 kilometers to the southwest of Hong Kong tonight and tomorrow morning, according to the forecast track.

The Strong Wind Signal No. 3 typhoon warning has been in force since 6.40pm on Wednesday.

Yagi continued to track westwards in the past few hours with super typhoon intensity and its associated outer rainbands are affecting Guangdong's coast.

At 8 am, Yagi was estimated to be about 390 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west or west-northwest at about 12 kilometers per hour across the northern part of the South China Sea.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Tate's Cairn, Waglan Island and Green Island were 66, 46 and 42 kilometers per hour with maximum gusts exceeding 83, 53 and 53 kilometers per hour, respectively.

Separately, HK Express announced that six flights will be affected on Thursday, including those to and from Hong Kong and Osaka, Seoul, and Phuket. Some of the flights will be delayed for a day.

Hong Kong Airlines said four of its flights flying to and from Haikou and Sanya will be canceled on Friday (Sep 6).

(Updated at 7.55 am)