As of Wednesday, Super Typhoon Yagi was estimated to be approximately 450 kilometres southeast of Hong Kong and was expected to move west at a speed of around 10 kilometres per hour across the northern half of the South China Sea, gradually intensifying, the Hong Kong Observatory reported.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued typhoon warning No. 3 on Wednesday evening as Super Typhoon Yagi developed and approached the city. According to a weather alert, the HKO issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 6:40 p.m., indicating that winds with a sustained speed of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour would begin to damage the territory.

Depending on Yagi’s route and intensity, the government forecaster will “assess the need to issue higher tropical cyclone warning signals between Thursday afternoon and night.”

“Under the influence of Super Typhoon Yagi, the weather over the coast of Guangdong will deteriorate in the next couple of days,” the Observatory predicts. The weather will be windy, with severe squally showers and thunderstorms. The seas will be choppy with swells. Public members were warned to avoid the shoreline and refrain from participating in water activities. Earlier this year, officials cautioned Hongkongers not to engage in thrill-seeking activities during extreme weather, such as storm chasing, trekking, or surfing, as offenders might face jail time and a fine.

In June, Chief Executive John Lee said that beginning September 23, Hong Kong would no longer halt stock trading during severe weather. Last year, Hong Kong was hammered by multiple tropical cyclones, including Super Typhoon Saola, prompting the Observatory to issue the strongest storm warning in five years. The city saw record-breaking rains a week later, resulting in catastrophic floods and landslides.

The No. 3 alert indicates that high winds are affecting or are expected to strike Hong Kong within the next 12 hours. Kindergarten and special education classes for children with physical or intellectual challenges will be suspended. Scheduled ferry services may be cancelled if conditions worsen. Bus and MTR services are unaffected. Residents should secure loose objects such as flower pots or drying racks and plan for potential floods in low-lying regions.

Tropical cyclones, which draw their energy from warm ocean water, are growing and becoming increasingly destructive as waters warm. According to NASA, more than 90% of the extra heat in the atmosphere is in the oceans, as growing greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.

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