Hong Kong typhoon signals tell you how serious the local wind threat is and what to do next. The system is based on conditions expected across Hong Kong, not simply a storm’s name or distance. Check the current signal and official bulletin before changing plans or setting out.
- As of 27 July 2026, no tropical cyclone warning signal is in force in Hong Kong; all signals for Typhoon Noul were cancelled at 7.10pm on 26 July.
- Signals run from Standby Signal No. 1 to Hurricane Signal No. 10; there are no Signals 2, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
- Signal No. 8 means gale or storm-force winds are blowing or expected, so complete precautions and avoid the street.
- Signals No. 9 and 10 call for you to stay indoors or remain in a safe, protected place.
- Transport can be reduced or suspended as conditions worsen, even before a signal changes.
Hong Kong typhoon status today
No tropical cyclone warning signal is in force in Hong Kong as of Monday, 27 July 2026. The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled all signals for Typhoon Noul at 7.10pm on 26 July as the storm tracked inland over Guangdong and weakened.
Rain rather than wind is the live risk today. The Observatory replaced the Red Rainstorm Warning with the Amber Rainstorm Warning early on 27 July, and a Thunderstorm Warning has been in force through the morning.
What travelers should know about the weekend’s storm:
- Noul brought Hong Kong its first Signal No. 8 and Signal No. 9 of 2026 over the weekend of 25–26 July.
- Around 400 flights were cancelled across Saturday and Sunday, and roughly 2,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Hong Kong International Airport.
- More than 190 cross-border high-speed rail services were cancelled on 26 July.
- Airport authorities expected normal operations to resume during Monday morning, though a small number of Monday flights were still cancelled or pushed back a day.
If you are flying in or out of Hong Kong in the next day or two, confirm your flight directly with the airline before travelling to the airport. Backlogs from a No. 8 or No. 9 signal can take more than 24 hours to clear.
How the Noul signals rose and fell
| Time (HKT) | Observatory action |
|---|---|
| 8.40pm, Fri 24 July | Standby Signal No. 1 issued. |
| 1.20pm, Sat 25 July | Strong Wind Signal No. 3 issued. |
| 10.10pm, Sat 25 July | Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 issued. |
| 1.10am, Sun 26 July | Increasing Gale or Storm Signal No. 9 issued, the first of 2026. |
| 7.10am, Sun 26 July | Signal No. 9 replaced by Signal No. 8. |
| 12.40pm, Sun 26 July | Signal No. 8 replaced by Signal No. 3. |
| 3.20pm, Sun 26 July | Signal No. 3 replaced by Standby Signal No. 1. |
| 7.10pm, Sun 26 July | All tropical cyclone warning signals cancelled. |
That sequence is a useful template for what a serious storm looks like in practice. Expect roughly a day of build-up, a few hours of peak disruption, then a staged stand-down.
When is typhoon season in Hong Kong?
Tropical cyclones normally affect the region from May to November and are particularly prevalent in September, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. A warning can still occur at another time, so current forecasts matter more than the calendar alone.
Travel during these months is possible with preparation and flexibility. Build time into connections, understand your booking conditions and keep essential supplies available without overbuying.
What Hong Kong typhoon signals mean
Hong Kong uses five tropical cyclone warning levels: 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10. The Hong Kong Observatory issues them according to the threat to the territory and the wind conditions expected generally near sea level.
The No. 3 and No. 8 signals are tied to a network of eight near-sea-level reference anemometers. The relevant signal is issued when half or more of them record, or are expected to record, the matching wind speeds and the wind condition is expected to persist.
A higher number means a more dangerous wind situation, but every signal deserves attention. Heavy rain, flooding, landslips and storm surge may be covered by separate warnings or additional information in the same bulletin.
The five-level signal action ladder
| Signal | Meaning and wind | Traveler action |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Standby Cyclone centred within about 800 km and may affect Hong Kong. |
Recheck outdoor plans, watch offshore conditions and follow bulletins. |
| No. 3 | Strong wind 41–62 km/h sustained; gusts may exceed 110 km/h. |
Avoid shorelines and water sports, secure loose items and monitor updates. |
| No. 8 | Gale or storm 63–117 km/h sustained; gusts may exceed 180 km/h. |
Complete precautions and return to safe shelter if conditions permit. |
| No. 9 | Increasing gale or storm Winds are increasing or expected to increase significantly. |
Stay indoors, away from exposed windows and doors. |
| No. 10 | Hurricane At least 118 km/h sustained; gusts may exceed 220 km/h. |
Apply all No. 9 precautions and do not go outside during a sudden lull. |
The four versions of Signal No. 8 indicate the quarter from which the wind is blowing: northwest, southwest, northeast or southeast. For most travelers, the essential instruction is the same across all four versions: finish preparations and get to a safe place.
What travelers should do at each stage
The safest approach is to act before conditions peak. A short checklist prepared before departure can prevent rushed decisions after a Hong Kong typhoon warning changes.
The Observatory also issues a Pre-No.8 Special Announcement when Signal No. 8 is expected within two hours. Treat that announcement, not the signal itself, as your cue to head back to your accommodation.
Traveler decision timeline
| Step | Stage | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Before departure | Check Observatory bulletins plus rain or flood warnings. Confirm the flight, keep essentials accessible, allow schedule flexibility and choose accommodation suitable for sheltering. |
| 2 | While in Hong Kong | Recheck before ferries, hikes, waterfront visits or outlying-area trips. At No. 3, avoid shorelines; if the Pre-No.8 Special Announcement is issued, start returning to safe shelter. Follow current transport updates. |
| 3 | During Signals No. 8–10 | Stay indoors, away from exposed windows, doors and flood-prone areas. A temporary calm is not an all-clear; wait for official updates. |
| 4 | After the signal lowers | Resume plans only after official updates and local safety checks. Expect gradual transport recovery, reduced frequencies and possible crowd controls. |
How Signal No. 8 affects flights and transport
Signal No. 8 does not create one automatic outcome for every rail journey. MTR adjusts services as the storm approaches and may suspend them if conditions deteriorate.
MTR says rail and bus services initially remain normal when advance notice of Signal No. 8 is issued, with frequencies increased if needed. As the storm gets closer, trains and Light Rail may move to limited service, while MTR Bus service is suspended three hours after Signal No. 8 is issued.
At Signals No. 9 and 10, MTR open-air rail sections, Light Rail and MTR Bus services are suspended immediately. Limited underground service may continue, but any service can stop without notice if conditions deteriorate.
When the signal is lowered back to No. 8, open-section rail service resumes gradually at reduced frequency while staff clear debris and check equipment. MTR Bus service resumes only once Signal No. 3 replaces No. 8.
Flights during a Hong Kong typhoon warning
Hong Kong International Airport does not automatically close when Signal No. 8 goes up. Individual airlines decide which flights to cancel or delay, so your specific flight status is the fact that matters.
When wind conditions are likely to cause significant disruption to air traffic, the Observatory adds an advisory to its tropical cyclone bulletin telling travelers to check with airlines before departing for the airport. Check your airline’s live flight status before leaving for the airport.
Noul showed how quickly this scales. Around 400 flights were cancelled over 25–26 July 2026, and clearing the backlog ran into the following day.
If your trip is still several days away, monitor rather than assume the worst. Tropical cyclone tracks and local effects can change, and official bulletins are updated as the threat develops.
Where to shelter safely
Your hotel or other sturdy indoor accommodation is usually the practical place to remain during a high-level signal. Stay away from large exposed windows and follow staff instructions.
Do not head outside to photograph waves, storm surge or wind damage. Previously sheltered areas can become exposed as the storm moves and wind direction changes.
If you are outdoors when the warning rises, seek a safe place immediately rather than attempting a long cross-city journey. At Signal No. 9 or 10, remain where you are if the location is reasonably protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a typhoon signal in force in Hong Kong right now?
No. As of 27 July 2026 no tropical cyclone warning signal is in force, after all signals for Typhoon Noul were cancelled at 7.10pm on 26 July. Check the Observatory’s warning page for the live position before you travel.
What does Hong Kong Signal No. 8 mean?
Signal No. 8 means gale or storm-force winds are blowing or expected generally near sea level. Travelers should complete precautions, avoid the street and reach safe shelter if conditions permit.
Do flights stop automatically at Signal No. 8?
No. The airport keeps operating and individual airlines decide which flights to cancel or delay. Check your airline’s live flight status before leaving for the airport.
Does the MTR run during Signal No. 8?
MTR trains initially operate and may later provide limited service as the storm approaches. Service can be reduced or suspended without notice if conditions worsen, so check current MTR updates before setting out.
Can I go outside when the signal is lowered?
Wait for official advice and consider local conditions first. Strong winds can persist after a storm moves away, and transport may resume gradually while debris and damage are checked.
What should I pack for Hong Kong typhoon season?
Bring a compact waterproof layer, protective storage for electronics, necessary medicines and a portable charger. Keep travel documents and a small amount of essential supplies accessible in case you need to remain indoors.
Plan a flexible Hong Kong trip
Understanding the warning system makes weather decisions simpler: monitor at Signals No. 1 and 3, finish preparations at No. 8, and shelter at No. 9 or 10. Always follow the latest official bulletin and the instructions of local authorities.
When your dates are set, compare flights to Hong Kong and find Hong Kong hotels on Wego, with enough flexibility for changing weather.
Sources
- Hong Kong Observatory — Hong Kong’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals and precautionary measures
- Hong Kong Observatory — Warning Information (warnings currently in force)
- Hong Kong Observatory — Tropical Cyclone Main Page
- Hong Kong Observatory — Current Weather bulletin, 27 July 2026
- MTR Corporation — Travel tips during typhoons
- RTHK — Observatory issues T8, will consider T9 later (25 July 2026)
- RTHK — T9 issued, T10 possible as Typhoon Noul makes landfall
- South China Morning Post — Hong Kong lifts all storm warnings as Typhoon Noul departs
- South China Morning Post — Some air passengers remain stranded at Hong Kong airport after Typhoon Noul
- Dimsum Daily — No. 1 Standby Signal to be issued at 3.20pm as Typhoon Noul continues to recede
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
