The No 8 typhoon signal was raised yesterday afternoon - the earliest it has gone up since records began more than 50 years ago. But although Leo brought wind and rain, little damage was done.
All signals were lowered at 8.45pm when the storm began to move away. Although wet and blustery weather will continue, transport, schools, courts and other services are expected to operate as usual today.
Tropical Storm Leo, which had been at typhoon strength on Saturday, had weakened into a tropical depression by the time it passed closest to Hong Kong last night.
The No 8 signal was up from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, forcing the cancellation of everything from racing to marriage plans.
The Hong Kong Observatory said it was the earliest typhoon warning since records began in 1946, beating the No 8 signal raised on May 13, 1951.
But the early arrival of the first storm of the year meant it came up against other seasonal factors.
'The combination of Tropical Storm Leo with the northeast monsoon makes it very complicated,' said Yeung King-kay, a senior scientific officer at the observatory.
