Super Typhoon Inday slightly weakens, Signal No. 1 remains over 12 areas

Super Typhoon Inday has slightly weakened while it hovers westward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

According to the 11 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the following areas under Signal No. 1 may experience winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour.

1. Batanes
2. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
3. Isabela
4. the northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela)
5. Apayao
6. the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lagayan, Danglas, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Daguioman, Dolores, La Paz)
7. Kalinga
8. the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis)
9. the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista)
10. Ilocos Norte
11. the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
12. the northern and central portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto, Baras, San Miguel)

However, PAGASA said that there is a possibility that Signal No. 2 or 3 may be hoisted during Inday’s passage.

As of 10 p.m., the center of the eye of Super Typhoon Inday was estimated at 1,035 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 230 km/h, and central pressure of 930 hPa.

Inday is moving west-northwestward at a speed of 20 km/h with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 880 km from the center.

Heavy Rainfall Outlook

Heavy rainfall outlook due to Tropical Cyclone Inday on Thursday evening to Friday evening is 50-100 mm in Batanes.

Heavy rainfall outlook due to Southwest Monsoon on Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, is moderate to Heavy or 50-100 mm in the following areas: Antique, Negros Occidental, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani

Severe Winds

"The enhanced Southwest Monsoon and the periphery of Super Typhoon INDAY will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds): Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, CALABARZON, most of MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, most of Visayas, and most of Mindanao," said PAGASA.

A Gale Warning is in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.

Track and Intensity outlook

Super Typhoon Inday is forecast to move generally west-northwestward over the next 12 hours, then turn northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea.

Inday may be nearest to extreme Northern Luzon by Friday evening or Saturday morning before heading towards the southern islands of Japan and the sea north of Taiwan, and is forecast to exit the PAR by Saturday and make landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China by Sunday.

PAGASA said Inday will maintain its strength as a super typhoon until Thursday and is forecast to weaken into a typhoon in the evening or Friday morning until it exits the PAR.

The weather bureau also said that due to an increasingly unfavorable environment, Inday may weaken into a typhoon earlier. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP/NB, GMA News