Typhoon Champi may enter PAR as a super typhoon, will be called Rosal

Typhoon Champi is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday morning, but it may become a super typhoon before its entry into PAR on Tuesday. It will then be given the local name Rosal, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

"Inaasahan na natin ang pagpasok nito sa loob ng PAR bukas ng umaga at hapon at papangalanan natin 'yan na Bagyong Rosal," PAGASA weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(We are expecting its entry into PAR tomorrow morning until afternoon and we will call it Super Typhoon Rosal.)

Champi became a super typhoon early Sunday, then weakened slightly and became a typhoon Sunday night.

"Pero pagpasok nito sa PAR, posibleng bumalik at maging super typhoon muli," Varilla said.

(But upon entering PAR, it may be a super typhoon again.)

Champi or Rosal may possibly make landfall over Extreme Northern Luzon or Cagayan Valley, she added.

"We are still also not ruling out pagla-landfall nito dahil pasok ang cone of probability dito sa bahagi ng Extreme Northern Luzon so posible yan as far as Cagayan Valley," Varilla said.

(We are still also not ruling out its landfall because the cone of probability includes portions of Extreme Northern Luzon up to Cagayan Valley.)

As of 3 a.m. Monday, Champi was located at 1,720 km east of Southeastern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 215 km/h.

Champi is moving west northwestward at 25 km/h.

Champi still has no effect yet on the country on Monday. The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains over Palawan and the western section of Mindanao while the easterlies will affect Visayas and the rest of Luzon, PAGASA reported.

Northern Luzon and Bicol

Varilla said Champi's track shows it will possibly affect Northern Luzon and the Bicol Region.

"Since 'yung track nito ay papunta ng Extreme Northern Luzon, so definitely dito sa may malaking bahagi ng Northern Luzon ay kailangan nang maghanda," she said.

(Since its track is toward Extreme Northern Luzon, so definitely, the larger portion of Northern Luzon needs to prepare.)

"Posible na tayong magtaas ng wind signal as early as mamayang gabi o bukas ng madaling araw dito sa portions ng Northern Luzon and also 'yung gusty winds na maaaring dalhin ng bagyo ay maaaring umabot sa portions ng
Bicol Region," Varilla said.

(We may possibly raise wind signals as early as tonight or tomorrow early morning over portions of Northern Luzon. The gusty winds which the super typhoon may bring may reach portions of the Bicol Region.)

"Ito ang mga rehiyon sa Pilipinas na kailangang maghanda," she added.

(These are the regions in the Philippines which need to be ready.)

"As early as tomorrow, posibleng makaranas ng epekto ni Champi sa bahagi ng Bicol Region. Maghanda sa paglakas ng mga hangin at posibleng pag-ulan na maaaring dalhin nito," the weather specialist said.

(As early as tomorrow, the Bicol Region may possibly feel the effects of Champi. Be ready for strong winds and possible rains.)

The super typhoon's closest approach to landmass will be in Northern Luzon.

"For succeeding days na kung saan ang closest approach ng Champi pagsapit ng Miyerkoles ng gabi hanggang Thursday ng umaga sa Northern Luzon, posibleng magtaas ng wind signal, at gale warning posible na 'yan bukas," Varilla said.

(For succeeding days wherein the closest approach to Champi on Wednesday night until Thursday morning in Northern Luzon, wind signals and gale warnings may possibly be raised tomorrow.)

Fishermen and mariners are advised to monitor PAGASA bulletins as the gale warning may be raised by Tuesday, she said.

"Tumutok sa pagtataas ng wind signal, lalong lalo na sa Northern Luzon and eastern portion of Luzon," Varilla said.

(Monitor the wind signals that may be raised, especially over Northern Luzon and the eastern portion of Luzon.)

Champi is expected to exit PAR by weekend, she added. —KG, GMA News