Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen has skirted Hong Kong and will gradually move away from the city on Tuesday, according to the weather forecaster.

The Hong Kong Observatory also said that the No 3 typhoon signal currently in effect would remain in force at least until 6pm, with the chance of issuing a higher signal being “relatively low” unless Fengshen, which means “the god of wind” in Chinese, intensified significantly.

Classes at kindergartens, and schools for children with physical and intellectual disabilities were suspended on Tuesday due to the No 3 warning.

“In the past few hours, Fengshen skirted at over 400km (249 miles) to the south of Hong Kong. Under the combined effect of Fengshen and the northeast monsoon, winds will be generally strong over the area [on Tuesday], occasionally reaching gale force on high ground,” the forecaster said.

“Fengshen will move southwestwards gradually and depart from Hong Kong [on Tuesday]. When the local weather is dominated by the northeast monsoon, the Observatory will consider issuing the strong monsoon signal to replace the No 3 signal.”