Typhoon Soulik now in PAR, codenamed Huaning

As expected, typhoon Soulik entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Wednesday morning and was locally codenamed Huaning, even as state weather forecasters said its effects will not likely be felt in the country until Thursday.

 

PAGASA forecaster Chris Perez said the typhoon, with international codename Soulik, may stay inside the Philippine area of responsibility until Saturday morning.

 

"Nakapasok na sa Philippine area of responsibility ang Typhoon Soulik at pinangalanan nang Huaning," Perez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said that as of 10 a.m., Huaning was estimated at 1,240 km east of Itbayat in Batanes, packing maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

 

Typhoon Huaning was moving west-northwest at 20 kph, he added.

 

"Sa ngayon wala pang direktang epekto sa bansa si Huaning," he said.

 

But he said Huaning will eventually enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rain to the western part of the Philippines.

 

"Posibleng Saturday morning, nasa labas na ito ng PAR at papunta sa bandang northern Taiwan area," Perez said. — TJD, GMA News