By Alec Go
Typhoon Nanmadol has rapidly intensified and may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday afternoon, Sept. 16, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Once it enters PAR, it will be given its local name “Josie.”
Based on PAGASA’s 11:00 a.m. advisory, Nanmadol is expected to exit the PAR by Friday night or early Saturday morning, and may still intensify into a super typhoon.
As of 10:00 a.m., it is located at 1,465 kilometers (km) east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h and gustiness of up to 205 km/h.
“This typhoon is forecast to remain far from the Philippine landmass and not directly affect the weather condition in the country,” PAGASA said.
However, the southwest monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by the typhoon may bring moderate to heavy rains over Mindoro provinces, Palawan, and Antique. Light to moderate rains will also prevail over the rest of Western Visayas.
Habagat’s enhancement “may also bring gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength” over Visayas, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and the northern and western portions of Mindanao. –gp
