Need
Signal No. 8: most buses stop. Do not go to an island
What tropical cyclone signals 1, 3, 8, 9, 10 do to transport. Franchised buses often stop about two hours after No. 8. Ferries stop. Underground MTR may keep limited service.
Notes dated 2026-09
The Hong Kong Observatory issues tropical cyclone warning signals. For visitors: No. 3 already means wind; No. 8 is when most public transport winds down. Signals change. Trust the Observatory site or MyObservatory, not a WeChat screenshot.
| Signal | You will feel | Transport (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | May not feel strong wind | Normal; start watching |
| No. 3 | Clear wind; loose objects fly | Ferries and exposed activity may suffer; postpone hikes |
| No. 8 (NE/SW/SE/NW) | Unsafe outdoors | Franchised buses often stop ~2 hours after issue; MTR buses ~3 hours; ferries stop; underground MTR may keep limited service; outdoor sections can halt suddenly |
| No. 9, 10 | Extreme | Stay inside a building. Do not go out. |
Rainstorm warnings (a separate system)
Amber, red, and black rainstorms can overlap with cyclone signals. Black rain: serious flooding and landslide risk. No Dragon’s Back. No closed underpasses. MTR entrances may have flood boards.
Flights and hotels
- Flights follow the airline and the Airport Authority, not your itinerary PDF.
- Lobbies fill during No. 8. Do not blame the desk for cancelled sightseeing buses. That is the rule.
- Leave a spare day. Summer and autumn are cyclone season.
Questions
No. 8 is up and I am still outside. What now?
Get indoors: a mall, an MTR station, the hotel. Do not gamble on a ferry. Taxis may surcharge or refuse exposed roads. Go back to the hotel. Do not finish the itinerary for its own sake.