The typhoon with the international name "Mindulle" continues to rapidly intensify while traversing the sea east of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday evening, Sept. 25.
In its 11 p.m. tropical cyclone advisory, PAGASA said Mindulle was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph while moving north-northwestward at 10 kph.
"Highly favorable conditions will allow Mindulle to continue rapidly intensifying within the next 36 hours over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It may reach a peak intensity of around 205 kph-215 kph by Monday (Sept. 27)," PAGASA said.
The center of the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 1,650 kilometers east of northern Luzon or outside the Philippine area of responsibility as of 10 p.m.
"Typhoon Mindulle is forecast to move generally north-northwestward until Tuesday (Sept. 28). A decrease in the forward speed of the typhoon is expected within the next 48 hours," PAGASA said.
Based on its forecast track, PAGASA said the typhoon may briefly enter the PAR on Tuesday, Sept. 28, or Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Once inside the PAR, Mindulle will be given its local name "Lannie."
"However, there is an increasing likelihood that the typhoon will not enter the PAR at all based on the trend of previous track forecasts," the State weather bureau pointed out.
Moreover, PAGASA said the typhoon remains less likely to directly affect the country's weather condition but may cause 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," it advised.