JTWC: Hagupit now a super typhoon, could head for East Visayas, Luzon

(Updated 11:24 a.m.) Typhoon Hagupit, locally codenamed Ruby, intensified into a super typhoon Thursday morning (PHL time), and could intensify further later this week, the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center indicated.

 

In its 2 a.m. update on Thursday, the JTWC indicated that Ruby was carrying sustained winds of 130 knots (240.76 kph) and gustiness of 160 knots (296.32 kph).

 

By 2 p.m. Thursday, Ruby is projected to have winds of 145 knots or 268.54 kph, and gustiness of 175 knots or 324.1 kph.

 

The JTWC indicated Ruby's winds could peak at 160 knots or 296.32 kph with gustiness of 195 knots or 361.14 kph on Saturday, PHL time.

However, Ruby's winds may weaken by Monday.

Eye of the storm

The US' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a satellite image of Ruby as of 6:32 a.m. (PHL time) showing that Ruby already has a well-defined "eye," indicative of a strong typhoon.


 

PAGASA forecast

Meanwhile, PAGASA's latest available forecast track as of 5 a.m. showed that Ruby is still on track to make landfall in Eastern Samar by Saturday afternoon or early evening, and to hit Leyte by Sunday.



PAGASA does not yet use "Super Typhoon" as an official term, but will begin to do so starting next year. The agency considers typhoons with winds 200 kph or greater to fall under this category.

 

Meanwhile, JTWC's track indicated that while Ruby is heading for Eastern Visayas, it may still move toward the eastern part of Luzon by Sunday.

 

For its part, the Japan Meteorological Agency's 5:45 a.m. (PHL time) update indicated Ruby is moving west-northwest at 30 kph and could intensify in the next few days.

 

Its track also indicated the typhoon could affect parts of southern Luzon and Mindanao.

Despite their differences, the various forecast tracks are in agreement that Ruby is most likely to cross central Visayas or eastern Luzon.