When does a typhoon warning actually change your schedule?
Signals 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10. Most of them mean nothing for your day. Signal No. 1 tells you a tropical cyclone is within range. Signal No. 3 means strong winds are expected. Offices stay open, trains run, schools hold class.
The threshold that changes everything is Signal No. 8.
When the HKO hoists Signal No. 8, the city shifts into a different operating mode. The government calls it the "shutdown threshold". That is the moment when offices close, schools suspend classes, and transport operators reduce or stop service.
Signals No. 9 and No. 10 are rare. They mean extreme winds are imminent or present. By that point, the city is already shut.
Signal No. 8: what closes and what stays open
Offices, schools and banks
The rule is straightforward: when Signal No. 8 or above is in force, all government offices close. Private sector offices typically follow. Schools at all levels suspend classes.
Banks close their branches. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange cancels trading sessions. Both the morning session and the afternoon session are suspended if the signal is raised before they start. Check with HKEX for exact timings.
Transport: reduced or suspended
The MTR is the backbone of Hong Kong's transport. On Signal No. 8, the MTR may reduce frequency on underground sections and suspend service entirely on above-ground sections exposed to wind. That affects the East Rail Line, Tuen Ma Line, and parts of the Island Line and Tseung Kwan O Line that run on viaducts.
Buses and minibuses typically stop running when Signal No. 8 is hoisted. The Star Ferry and other cross-harbour ferries suspend service. Taxis become scarce. The Peak Tram stops.
What stays open: retail, restaurants, essential services
Most shopping malls, shops, and restaurants may remain open, depending on the severity of the weather at street level. In practice, many retail staff cannot get to work because transport has stopped, so individual stores make their own call.
Supermarkets and convenience stores often stay open if staff can reach them. Hospitals and emergency services operate as normal. Hotel restaurants and room service continue.
The key distinction: the government mandates closure for itself and for schools. Private businesses decide independently.
How long disruptions typically last
A Signal No. 8 warning lasts anywhere from a few hours to a full day. The HKO issues the signal in advance, typically four to six hours before the expected onset of severe winds, and lowers it when conditions improve.
Once the signal is lowered to No. 3, the city resumes. Government offices announce reopening. Schools may reopen the following day if the signal is lowered early enough. MTR and bus services take one to three hours to return to normal after the signal drops.
Typhoon season timing: when to expect disruptions
Hong Kong's typhoon season runs from May to November. The peak months are June through September. During this window, the HKO issues an average of three to five Signal No. 8 warnings per year. Some years have none. Some have eight.
Signal No. 10 is rare. The last one was in September 2023 (Typhoon Saola).
How to plan business and travel around typhoon season
If you are scheduling a meeting, a delivery, or a flight during typhoon season, build in buffer time. Avoid booking critical events for the afternoon of a day when a tropical cyclone is forecast to approach. The HKO's storm track maps are reliable at 48 to 72 hours out.
If you are travelling: check whether your hotel is near an MTR station on an underground section. A hotel in Central or Wan Chai is less likely to be stranded than one in Tseung Kwan O or near the East Rail Line.
Where to check the current hong kong typhoon signal schedule
The Hong Kong Observatory website and mobile app "MyObservatory" are the only official sources. They publish the current signal number, storm track maps, and expected timing of any escalation or downgrade.
The HKO also issues push notifications through its app. That is the fastest way to know whether Signal No. 8 has been raised while you are at the office or on the way to a meeting.
What happens after the signal drops?
If you are in Hong Kong during typhoon season, know the number: Signal No. 8. That is the line between normal operations and a city-wide schedule change.
For a full breakdown of when banks, offices and shops open and close during normal weather, see the Hong Kong Business Hours 2026 guide. For MTR, bus and ferry schedules that change during typhoon warnings, see the Hong Kong Transport Hours page. And if you are planning travel around a public holiday that falls in typhoon season, check Hong Kong Public Holidays 2026.