The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Tuesday that a tropical depression forming south of Guam could intensify into a super typhoon as it moves closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) later this week.
PAGASA said the tropical depression’s center was located 1,985 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of 10:00 am, November 4.
It carries maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gusts of up to 70 km/h, and is moving westward at 20 km/h.
PAGASA said it may enter the PAR by Friday evening or Saturday, and will be named “Uwan” once inside.
Forecasters expect the system to gradually strengthen over the Philippine Sea, reaching tropical storm category within 24 hours, typhoon strength by Thursday, and super typhoon intensity by the weekend.
Although the system has not yet affected any part of the country, PAGASA warned that its interaction with the northeast monsoon (amihan) could result in rough to very rough seas along the northern and eastern seaboards beginning Saturday.
The agency added that a possible landfall in the Philippines is becoming more likely, but the specific location and timing remain uncertain because the forecast is still several days ahead.
PAGASA advised the public and local disaster risk reduction offices to monitor official weather bulletins for updates.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.