Tropical depression may become super typhoon upon entering PAR — PAGASA

The tropical depression spotted 1,690 east of Northeastern Mindanao may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend and eventually become a super typhoon, the state weather bureau said on Tuesday.

In its 11 p.m. tropical cyclone advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the tropical depression maintained its strength while moving west southwestward at 20 km/h.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center with gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

PAGASA said the tropical cyclone (TC) is forecast to slow down in the next 12 hours while moving west southwestward, adding that it may behave erratically at times.

It will then gradually accelerate generally northwestward over the Philippine Sea until the morning of Nov. 7, Friday before turning west northwestward on Friday evening or Saturday, Nov. 8.

“On the track forecast, the TC may enter the PAR region on Friday evening or on Saturday. Once inside the PAR, the domestic name ‘UWAN’ will be assigned to this TC,” the state weather bureau said.

It added that the possibility of the tropical cyclone making landfall is becoming more likely.

“However, the exact landfall location and time remains highly uncertain, considering that the forecast is more than five days ahead,” it said.

The tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify while over the Philippine Sea, and may eventually reach typhoon category on Thursday, Nov. 6, and super typhoon category during the weekend.

PAGASA clarified that the tropical cyclone is not yet affecting the Philippines’ land mass and sea areas and it is less likely to affect the country’s weather condition for now.

“However, owing to the influence of both this TC and a Northeast Monsoon surge, rough sea conditions or worse may affect the northern and eastern seaboards of the country starting on Saturday,” it said. — JMA, GMA Integrated News