Uwan intensifies into typhoon with 120 kph winds, says PAGASA

Tropical cyclone Uwan is now a typhoon with winds of up to 120 kph and gustiness of 150 kph as of 8 p.m., PAGASA said on Friday night.

Typhoon Uwan (International name: Fung-Wong) was spotted at 8 p.m. to still be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, 1,095 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

It is expected to become a super typhoon late Saturday night or on Sunday early morning.

In an interview on "24 Oras," PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said Uwan is expected to rapidly intensify over the Philippine Sea.

“Pero dahil ito'y lalapit sa ating kalupaan na mainit, Philippine Seakasi po ito, nagkakaroon diyan madalas ng rapid intensification. So, possible late tomorrow or sa madaling araw po ng Sunday ay lalakas ito bilang isang super typhoon,” Estareja said.

(But, since this will approach our landmass, that’s very hot since this is the Philippines, a rapid intensification usually takes place. So, it may develop into a Super Typhoon by late tomorrow or early morning on Sunday.)

PAGASA said that affected areas near the eye will experience the highest Tropical Wind Cyclone Signal No. 5 by Sunday night.

In its 5 p.m. cyclone bulletin, PAGASA had raised Signal No. 1 over 21 different areas nationwide.

Uwan is also predicted to make landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora on Sunday late evening or on Monday early morning.  –NB, GMA Integrated News

–NB, GMA Integrated News