Typhoon Merbok is expected to make landfall 50 kilometers east of Hong Kong on Monday night, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

The observatory issued a number eight typhoon warning on Monday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Merbok drew closer to the city, replacing sunny skies with gusts and showers. The number eight typhoon warning means winds with an average speed of 63 km/h or above are on it way.

China Meteorological Administration Photo

The government announced that all school classes were suspended on Monday. 

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways had five flights cancelled and two flights delayed on Monday. The airline plans to cancel four flights and delay one flight on Tuesday.

The first typhoon of the year to hit China, as of 3 p.m. local time, Merbok was estimated to be about 120 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong. It was forecast to be moving north-northwest at about 20 km/h towards the coast of Guangdong Province.

The path of Typhoon Merbok./ China Meteorological Administration  Photo

China Meteorological Administration on Monday afternoon issued a yellow warning for Typhoon Merbok and released a map of its path. Central areas in south China's Guangdong Province could expect winds as high as force 8, with torrential rain also forecast from Monday night to Tuesday night.