The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring two weather disturbances that may affect the country in the next few days.
In its 11 a.m. cyclone advisory issued Tuesday, Aug. 30., PAGASA said the typhoon with an international name “Hinnamnor” may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday evening, Aug. 31.
Once inside the PAR, the domestic name “Gardo” will be assigned to this tropical cyclone.
As of 10 a.m., Hinnamnor was estimated at 1,655 kilometers (km) east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph.
It was moving westward at a speed of 30 kph.
“This typhoon may continue to rapidly intensify over the sea south of Japan and reach super typhoon category within 24 hours,” PAGASA said.
“The possibility of hoisting a tropical cyclone wind signal over extreme northern Luzon during the occurrence of this typhoon within the PAR region is not ruled out,” it added.
New LPA may develop into tropical cyclone
PAGASA is also monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) east of extreme northern Luzon, as it may develop into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
As of 10 a.m., the LPA was spotted 1,235 km east of extreme northern Luzon.
PAGASA said the trough or extension of the LPA will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Aurora, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, and Camarines Norte.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised the public to stay vigilant as flash floods or landslides may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.