Hong Kong’s weather forecaster issued typhoon signal No. 3 at 12:20 pm on Saturday as Tropical Cyclone Matmo is edging closer to the city.
Local winds were strong over many places of the city, with occasional gales offshore and on high ground, the Hong Kong Observatory said in a bulletin at 4:45 pm.
"Make sure objects likely to be blown away are securely fastened or taken indoors," it said, advising people to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.
READ MORE: Unsettled weather forecast as Tropical Cyclone Matmo nears HK
The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3, which means 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 observatory will then assess the need for issuance of higher tropical cyclone warning signals depending on Matmo's intensity, the distance of its gale force winds from the Pearl River Estuary, and the change in local wind conditions.”
The Education Bureau suspended classes of kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability, and schools for children with intellectual disability after noon on Saturday.
ALSO READ: Observatory: HK could see up to eight typhoons this year
According to the HKO, there will be occasional squally showers and thunderstorms on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Cautioning that seas will be rough with swells, it advised people to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.
Matmo will move towards the vicinity of Leizhou Peninsula on Sunday. Under its influence, it will be windy with squally showers over the coast of southern China, said the observatory.
The tropical cyclone comes less than two weeks after storm Ragasa lashed Hong Kong with super typhoon wind force, prompting the authorities to issue the highest typhoon alert – Hurricane Signal No. 10.
READ MORE: HK in recovery mode after Ragasa onslaught
At least 101 people were hurt, many parts of the city were submerged due to flooding, schools and businesses were closed down, and flights were suspended for 36 hours during the Sept 24 typhoon.
