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Olga Wong

Danny Mok

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Download our app to get faster notifications.
The Hong Kong Observatory has said it expects the No 3 signal to remain in force at least until noon and that it may need to issue higher alerts later, with the approaching Severe Typhoon Yagi intensifying into a super typhoon.
“If Yagi moves according to the present forecast track and continues to intensify, local winds are expected to further strengthen later [on Thursday],” the forecaster said.
“The Observatory may need to issue higher tropical cyclone warning signals between [Thursday] afternoon and [Thursday] night.”
The No 3 signal was issued at 6.40pm on Wednesday. Shortly before midnight, the forecaster said Yagi had intensified into a super typhoon.
It said Yagi’s associated outer rainbands were affecting the coastal waters of eastern Guangdong, and strong east to northeasterlies would generally prevail over the city gradually with occasional gale winds offshore and on high ground.




The Development Bureau convened an interdepartmental meeting on Wednesday to coordinate preparation works for the handling of potential emergencies such as flooding, landslides and fallen trees during the storm.
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau officials also inspected flood prevention works in Lei Yue Mun and Tai O.
HK Express, the budget wing of Cathay Pacific Airways, was the first carrier to announce that flight schedules for Thursday would be adjusted.
The airline said six flights to and from three destinations – Kansai, Incheon and Phuket international airports – would be cancelled and rescheduled by between 50 minutes and more than 14 hours.
“HK Express will continue to monitor the weather conditions and make further announcements on flight changes if necessary,” it said.
Yagi was estimated to be about 430km (267 miles) southeast of Hong Kong at midnight and was forecast to move west at about 10km/h (6mph) across the northern part of the South China Sea and intensify gradually.
The No 3 signal means winds with mean speeds of 41km/h to 62km/h are expected.
According to senior scientific officer Yeung Kwok-chung, Yagi will be closest to Hong Kong on Thursday night at around 300km to the south.


Yeung warned about strong gusts and heavy showers, alerting the public that the winds would gradually strengthen later on Wednesday and Thursday.
The weather over the coast of Guangdong will deteriorate in the latter part of this week, according to the forecaster. It will be windy with heavy squally showers.
Yagi means goat in Japanese. It is also the Japanese name of the constellation Capricornus.


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Yagi intensifies into super typhoon; Hong Kong’s T3 signal to remain in force until noon at least

The weather forecaster may issue a No 3 typhoon signal in the afternoon. Photo: Sam Tsang

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According to the forecaster’s storm tracker, Yagi will enter within 400km of the city on Thursday and intensify into a typhoon. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong may issue No 1 standby signal on Tuesday as Tropical Cyclone Yagi nears

People hang around Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade under No 8 typhoon signal in October 2023. The forecaster is expected to issue the No 1 standby signal on Tuesday. Photo: Elson LI

Visitors are caught in strong winds in October 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang

News

Hong Kong

Weather

Yagi expected to be closest to Hong Kong on Thursday night, Observatory says


Yagi is expected to be closest to Hong Kong on Thursday night, Observatory says.
