GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
For improved response? PAGASA to adopt ‘super typhoon’ category in 2015
Starting 2015, the term "Super Typhoon" may be officially adopted by Philippine weather service PAGASA – partly to spur better preparation and response by communities.
This is part of the revised classification of tropical cyclones PAGASA is drawing up a year after super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated Visayas, Panahon.TV said.
"PAGASA explained that the revision aims to emphasize the intensity of a tropical cyclone and the threat of its impacts. Using the term 'Super Typhoon' will also escalate the sense of urgency and community response in times of an approaching storm," Panahon.TV said in a blog post.
Under the revised system, "Super Typhoon" is defined as having maximum sustained winds of more than 220 kph or 120 nautical miles per hour.
But it also quoted PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran as saying the term "Super Typhoon" will be effective in 2015.
Panahon.TV is a venture between the Lina Group of Companies and the Presidential Communications Operations Office, People's Television and PAGASA. Its studios are based at PAGASA headquarters in Quezon City.
Before the adoption of "Super Typhoon," PAGASA used a three-tier category system for cyclones: Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm and Typhoon.
The revised system now includes:
- Tropical Storm (TS): 62 to 118 kph or 17.2 to 32.6 meters per second.
- Severe Tropical Storm: applicable only for the International Warning for Shipping, and will not be used for general public dissemination unlike the other categories.
- Typhoon (TY): wind speeds 118 to 220 kph or 64 to 120 knots.
- Super Typhoon (STY): maximum sustained winds of more than 220 kph, or 61.1 meters per second; or 120 nautical miles per hour.
