The Hong Kong Observatory raised the typhoon warning signal No. 3 on Monday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Fengshen strengthened into a severe tropical storm and moved closer to the city.

The HKO replaced the Strong Monsoon Signal at 5:20 pm with the Strong Wind Signal, No 3, which means winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour are expected over the territory.

“Under the combined effect of Fengshen and the northeast monsoon, winds will be generally strong over the territory tonight and tomorrow, occasionally reaching gale force offshore and on high ground,” the observatory said.

It added that Fengshen will be closest to Hong Kong from Monday night to Tuesday morning, skirting at around 400 kilometers or more to the south of the territory.

Unless the tropical cyclone adopts a track closer to the Pearl River Estuary or intensifies significantly, the chance of issuing higher typhoon warning signals is relatively low, and the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 will remain in force at least until 6 pm Tuesday, the observatory said.

The HKO said it will be persistently windy and appreciably cooler with rain in the next couple of days, adding that temperatures will drop to as low as 19 degrees Celsius in urban areas, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories.

At noon on Monday, Fengshen was centered about 300 kilometers south-southwest of Dongsha, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 85 kph near its center.

The tropical cyclone was forecast to move west-northwest at about 18 kph across the northern part of the South China Sea, edging closer to the coast of Guangdong gradually.

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The observatory also said that, under the combined effect of spring tide, the northeast monsoon and Fengshen, flooding may occur over some low-lying coastal areas during high tide for a few consecutive nights this week.

The water level over Victoria Harbour will rise to around 3 meters above the Chart Datum at night from Tuesday to Thursday, the HKO added.