Super typhoon Hinnamnor is still expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility late Wednesday, Aug. 31, or early Thursday, Sept. 1, and will be given the local name “Henry,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
While it is less likely to make landfall, the extent of Hinnamnor’s winds may reach the extreme Northern Luzon area, which may prompt the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 over Batanes, Babuyan Island, and Calayan Island, according to PAGASA Weather Division chief Jun Galang.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Hinnamnor was last spotted 980 kilometers (km) northeast of the extreme Northern Luzon. It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.
Meanwhile, PAGASA senior weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said tropical depression Gardo is moving away from the country.
As of 10 a.m., tropical depression Gardo was estimated at 1,065 km east of extreme northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
The trough or extension of Gardo was causing rains over Metro Manila and parts of southern Luzon on Wednesday.
Ordinario said that due to the close distance between Gardo and Hinnamnor, it is possible that the two systems will have a tropical cyclone binary interaction.
PAGASA said Gardo will likely degenerate into a remnant low as early as this afternoon or evening, as it gets absorbed by Hinnamnor.
Super typhoon likely to stall over PH Sea
According to Ordinario, two high pressure areas are preventing Hinnamnor from moving north or away from the Philippines.
If Hinnamnor continues to be unable to move up and continues to approach the tip of Northern Luzon, Ordinario said the worst-case scenario is to raise Signal No. 3 over some portions of extreme Northern Luzon.
Under Signal No. 3, areas are expected to experience storm-force winds or may expect them within 18 hours after the tropical cyclone wind signal has been raised.
Furthermore, because the super typhoon will likely be almost stationary between late Thursday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 2, Ordinario said that Hinnamnor may enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” that would bring rains over the western section of Northern and Central Luzon.
“The crucial day will be on Friday and weekend because it is possible that the cyclone will enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains to the northern and central parts of Luzon,” Ordinario said in Filipino.
He added that Hinnamnor will be closest to the extreme Northern Luzon on Friday.