The Observatory will consider raising the storm signal above T8 on Friday evening, as Super Typhoon Saola is expected to skirt within 50 kilometres south of Hong Kong.
The city remained shut down on Friday after the T8 signal was raised at 2.40 am.
Should the rare Hurricane Signal No. 10 be issued, it would be the first time since 2018 that the Observatory has raised the highest warning.
Since records began in 1946, there have only been 16 such storms to hit the city. China already hoisted its highest storm signal on Friday.
“Saola has a well-defined eyewall and compact circulation. As Saola continues to edge closer to Hong Kong, weather will deteriorate rapidly later during daytime today,” the Observatory said on Friday.
“The maximum water level may be similar to that when Mangkhut hit Hong Kong in 2018,” it added.
According to the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers and the Observatory, Mangkhut caused economic losses of HK$4.6 billion when the T10 storm hit in September of that year. 200 people were injured.
As of 11 am on Friday, 34 temporary shelters had been opened and 188 people had sought refuge. There had been two reports of fallen trees, three confirmed cases of flooding, and no reports of landslides.
One man was injured “during the typhoon period” and sought treatment at an Accident and Emergency Department, the government announced.
All public ferry services have been suspended, and a number of flights have been cancelled. Passengers scheduled to fly have been asked to check their flight status.
High-speed rail, MTR bus, and in-town check-in services were suspended at noon, according to the MTR Corporation. MTR and Light Rail services are operating at limited frequencies.
Typhoon Signal 8
When the No. 8 signal is issued, gale or storm force winds are affecting, or expected to affect, Hong Kong.
- The Hong Kong Observatory will make a special announcement within two hours before the signal is hoisted. Most offices and businesses will then close and people without special reasons for staying out are expected to go home.
- All school classes and most government services will halt.
- Ferry services will give notice as to when they will stop running, while most bus routes will halt within two hours after the signal is issued.
- MTR trains will run normally unless weather conditions worsen.
- Citizens should return home or stay in a safe place, and avoid low-lying areas likely to be flooded.
- Temporary shelters will be opened in government buildings for people with no safe refuge.
Observatory signals currently in force
- Yellow Fire Danger Warning was issued at 06:00 HKT (4 Jan 2026)
Climate crisis
Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
