Update | Hong Kong Observatory lowers storm signal to T3 as Linfa weakens after making landfall in Guangdong

The Hong Kong Observatory replaced the typhoon No 8 signal with the strong wind signal No 3 at 10.10pm on Thursday night, after Typhoon Linfa was downgraded to a severe tropical storm and after it made landfall in eastern Guangdong.

Tropical storm Linfa weakened rapidly as passed over rural Guangdong on Thursday night, the Hong Kong Observatory said on its website.

The Observatory raised the T8 signal at 4.40pm today as Typhoon Linfa approached after making steady landfall in the eastern Guangdong city of Lufeng.

Linfa was downgraded to a severe tropical storm before 6pm, but the Observatory continued to warn of the threat of high winds and deteriorating weather conditions.

However, as the area of gale force winds associated with Linfa continued to decrease significantly, the Observatory said it would consider lowering the storm signal.

“When the gales of Linfa pose no more threat to Hong Kong, the Observatory will consider replacing the No 8 signal by the strong wind signal No 3”, the HKO said.

By 11pm, Linfa was estimated to be about 60km northwest of Hong Kong and was forecast to move west or west-southwest at about 22km/h towards the Pearl River estuary and western Guangdong.