Rainy Christmas across PHL as potential typhoon heads for Bicol

Metro Manila and most of Luzon and Visayas are in for a rainy Christmas as a tropical storm (TS) just outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) continues to intensify on its way to the country.

International weather agencies forecast the disturbance to become a typhoon before it makes landfall in Bicol on Christmas Day.

mas Day.State weather forecasters posited TS Nock-Ten 1,380 km east of Mindanao as of 10 am Thursday, with maximum winds of up to 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph.

Nock-Ten is currently moving west-northwest at 23 kph and is expected to enter the PAR by late Thursday evening at the soonest. Upon entry, the cyclone will be given the local name "Nina".

International weather agencies are in agreement that the cyclone will make landfall in the Bicol region on Christmas Day.

A conservative forecast by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as of 8:45 am Thursday (Philippine Time) posits Nock-Ten/Nina to become a typhoon with a peak strength of 144 kph by the time it reaches Bicol on Christmas Day. 

Meanwhile, the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center's (JTWC's) latest forecast as of 5 am Thursday (Philippine Time) forecasts Nock-Ten/Nina to reach a peak strength of 100 knots (~185 kph), a major Category 3 cyclone.

In a televised press briefing at noon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) urged the public to make preparations for the incoming cyclone and to prepare for the possible suspension of public transport to and from the regions. — GMA News