Mawar could be downgraded into typhoon but strong winds likely says PAG-ASA

Larawan mula sa PAGASA

Manila, Philippines – There is a possiblity that Super Typhoon Mawar may be downgraded into a typhoon category as it approaches.

However it could still bring strong winds, says an official of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronoical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In a press conference, PAGASA Deputy Administrator Esperanza Cayanan said that Mawar may weaken into a typhoon before it goes near Batanes. However, the typhoon is still strong.

“Don’t think that it’s weak as this could trigger strong winds that could hit trees and roofs,” she explained.

She also said that Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 3 could be up over Batanes.

A 4 pm weather update from PAGASA told that Mawar was last tracked 1,705 km. east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kph, and gusts of up to 20 kph.

PAGASA forecast Mawar to reach its peak intensity of 220 kph maximum sustained winds within 24 hours.

The super typhoon is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either Friday night or early Saturday and will be named “Betty”.

Mawar is forecast to be 250 km of Batanes and Babuyan Islands by next week.

The weather bureau’s weather specialist Ana Clauren said the hoisting of TCWS may start Saturday in anticipation of severe winds.

She said Mawar may enhance the southwest monsoon that could trigger rains over the western portion of Central and Southern Luzon and the Visayas beginning Sunday or Monday.

PAGASA’s 4 pm forecast also said that Metro Manila and rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

They were caused by southwesterly windflow or localized thunderstorms and the weather bureau said this could trigger possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Clauren likewise urged the public to coordinate precautionary measures with the local government because the moderate to heavy rains may trigger flash floods or landslides.

Esperanza told that rains caused by localized thunderstorms may still be experienced.

“We’ve been having thunderstorms for the past days. There’s a high probability that thunderstorms will continue, especially in the afternoon,” she said.

Note: This is a developing story.