PAGASA Monitors Twin Typhoons; ‘Goni’ May Enter PAR Tuesday

Manila (PNA) — The two tropical storms outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) have intensified into typhoon category and one of the tropical cyclones will enter by Tuesday, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Monday.

PAGASA defines a typhoon an intense tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kph.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said the typhoon with international name “Goni” has maximum sustained winds of 130 kph and gustiness up to 160 kph and moving west northwest at 20 kph.

Maintaining its speed and movement, typhoon Goni will enter PAR by Tuesday afternoon and will be locally named “Ineng”, the ninth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year and second for the month of August.

She also said the typhoon Gonie is expected to intensify but has slim chance to become a super typhoon category, but the agency continues to monitor it.

She added the track of Ineng is the same with typhoon Hanna which is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country but will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over the western section parts of the country.

She noted that by Wednesday rains are t be expected over parts of Visayas and southern Luzon due to typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon and by Thursday expect rains in most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Nonot said the other typhoon with international name “Atsani” was located approximately 4,055 km east of southern Luzon.

She noted that this typhoon has a slim chance to enter the country but the agency continues to monitor it. Once it enters the PAR it will be locally named “Jenny”, the tenth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.

For Monday forecast, Nonot said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will continue to bring cloudy skies with rainshowers across the Visayas and some parts of Mindanao.

The ITCZ across Visayas, which is the thick clouds coming from the south of Asia, is considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones.

Due to ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers in Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga region.

She added the rest of the country including Metro Manila will have fair weather except for isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

She also said state weather bureau has not issued gale warning as the fisherfolks are now safe to venture into the seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC