Hinnamnor enters PAR, given local designation Henry

Super Typhoon Hinnamnor on Wednesday entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was given the local designation Henry.

According to meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz's report on "24 Oras,” Henry entered PAR at around 5:30 p.m., becoming the second active tropical cyclone within the area of responsibility, along with Tropical Depression Gardo.

The center of Henry was last seen 870 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon. It is moving west southwest while packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of 240 km/h.

Meanwhile, Gardo was spotted 1,080 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon at 4 PM today. It is moving northward at 10 kilometers per hour and is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

Cruz said it remains unlikely that Gardo will affect the country’s landmass as it continues to move towards Henry.

He also said Henry will slowly move over PAR and is forecast to be almost stationary from Thursday, September 1 to Friday, September 2. The tropical cyclone is expected to exit PAR on Saturday, September 3.

While it is not expected to make landfall, Cruz said Henry will enhance the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat due to its strength, forecast direction, and location.

The trough of Gardo and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon is also expected to trigger rains over Batanes, Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Northern Palawan, and the rest of Northern and Central Luzon.

Rains and thunderstorms, meanwhile, may prevail over Metro Manila, Panay Island, Negros provinces, Cebu, and Bohol.

The whole region of Mindanao is forecast to experience thunderstorms and rain showers but it is not related to the super typhoon.

By Friday, Cruz said moderate rains are expected over Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALBARN, and MIMAROPA due to Henry. — BM, GMA News