THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday afternoon that super typhoon Mawar may downgrade into typhoon category as it approaches Batanes but could still bring strong winds.
“It may weaken into a typhoon before it goes near Batanes, but a typhoon is still strong. Don’t think that it’s weak as this could trigger strong winds that could hit trees and roofs,” Deputy Administrator Esperana Cayanan said in a press conference.
Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 3 could be hoisted over Batanes, she added.
The latest update from the weather bureau said 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.
Pagasaforecast 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.
It is forecast to be 250 km. of Batanes and Babuyan Islands by next week.
Pagasaweather specialist Ana Clauren said the hoisting of TCWS may begin tomorrow in anticipation of severe winds.
Strong to storm-force conditions may be experienced over extreme Northern Luzon, while strong to gale-force conditions are possible in the northern and eastern portions of the mainland of Northern Luzon.
Clauren 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.
She urged the public to coordinate precautionary measures with the local government because the moderate to heavy rains may trigger flash floods or landslides.
Esperana, on the other hand, said 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.
