Gardo maintains strength, may merge with super typhoon —PAGASA

Tropical Depression Gardo has maintained its strength while moving northwestward east of Extreme Northern Luzon, PAGASA said Wednesday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA also said Gardo may merge with Super Typhoon Hinnamnor, which  as of Wednesday morning was still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

"Tropical Depression 'GARDO' is forecast to move generally north northwestward or northwestward throughout the forecast period as it interacts with Super Typhoon 'HINNAMNOR' outside the PAR," PAGASA said.

Hinnamor will be named Henry once it enters PAR, which is expected on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

PAGASA said Gardo will degenerate into a remnant low as early as Wednesday afternoon or night as Hinnamnor begins to assimilate its circulation.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Gardo was estimated based on all available data at 1,065 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa

It is moving northwestward at 10 km/h, PAGASA said.

Gardo, however, is unlikely to directly affect the weather and sea conditions in the country within the forecast period. —KBK, GMA News