HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Observatory issued strong wind signal No 3 at 10:40 am on Saturday with severe tropical storm Trami intensifying into a typhoon.

Signal No 3, meaning that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour are expected, will remain in force at least until 10 pm on Saturday, the forecaster said in a 4:45 pm bulletin.

READ MORE: HKO raises T1 signal as Trami nears

At 5 pm, Typhoon Trami was estimated to be about 650 km south-southwest of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west at about 18 km per hour towards the seas south of Hainan Island.

Classes of kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability were suspended for Saturday.

A special edition of “Symphony of Lights" on Saturday night for the celebration of the 75th National Day has also been canceled.

With Trami moving steadily westwards, the HKO issued Standby Signal, No. 1 at 1:40 am on Friday.

Under the combined effect of Trami and the northeast monsoon, strong easterly winds are expected to prevail over the territory, occasionally up to gales on high ground, it said, adding that the outer rainbands associated with Trami are edging closer to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary.

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Warning that there will be a few squally showers over the territory and seas will be rough with swells, the forecaster advised people to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.

With Trami departing, local winds will weaken gradually by Sunday morning and the HKO will consider issuing the Standby Signal, No. 1 then depending on the changes in local wind conditions, it added.