The tropical cyclone with an international "Mindulle" has intensified into a typhoon but has an "increasing likelihood" that it may no longer enter the country's area of responsibility in the coming days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday, Sept. 25.
In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone advisory, PAGASA said Mindulle was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph while moving slowly northwestward at 10 kph.
"Highly favorable conditions will allow Mindulle to further intensify and may reach a peak intensity of around 205 kph by Monday (Sept. 27)," PAGASA said.
As of 10 a.m., Saturday, the center of the typhoon was located 1,720 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.
"Typhoon Mindulle is forecast to move northwestward or north-northwestward until Wednesday (Sept. 29) before turning north-northeastward by Thursday (Sept. 30). Furthermore, the typhoon may likely slow down on Sunday and Monday (Sept. 26-27)," PAGASA said.
Based on its latest forecast, Mindulle may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, Sept. 28, or Wednesday, Sept. 29 but will likely remain far from the Philippine landmass.
Once inside the PAR, the tropical cyclone will be given its local name "Lannie."
"However, based on the latest analysis, there is an increasing likelihood that this tropical cyclone will not enter PAR," PAGASA said.
It added that the typhoon may not directly affect the country's weather condition throughout the forecast period.
However, PAGASA said Mindulle may trigger moderate to rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon beginning Monday.
"Sea travel will be risky for those using small sea crafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA advised.
Meanwhile, a low pressure area (LPA) was estimated at 230 km east of Davao City on Saturday morning.
PAGASA said the LPA may bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Mindanao.
Partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
PAGASA continued to advise the public to take precautions against possible flash floods or landslides especially during the occurrence of severe thunderstorms that are often associated with short-lived heavy rains.