Tropical depression Gardo, as it continues to track east northeast of extreme northern Luzon, is expected to merge itself with the larger circulation of Super typhoon Henry (international name: Hinnamnor), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday morning, Sept. 1.
The state weather bureau, in its 5 a.m. bulletin said that Gardo is expected to weaken into a low pressure area (LPA) within the next 12 hours or “sooner.” With this development, it is expected to merge with the larger circulation of Super typhoon Henry.
Gardo was last spotted 885 kilometers (km) east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving northwestward at 45 kph.
PAGASA may raise Signal no. 2 due to 'Henry'
Henry, on the other hand, maintained its strength as it moves southwestward over the Philippine sea. The eye of this weather disturbance was last spotted 530 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.
Due to Henry, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be experienced in Batanes in the next 24 hours. PAGASA added that it may enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, which is expected to drench the western section of Luzon beginning Friday, Sept. 2.
“Tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) may be hoisted for localities in extreme northern Luzon today at the earliest in anticipation of potential strong breeze to near gale conditions. The potential of hoisting wind Signal no. 2 is also not ruled out,” said PAGASA in its 5 a.m. forecast.
Meanwhile, based on the forecast track, Henry is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday evening, Sept. 3 or Sunday morning, Sept. 4.
“Henry has completed its eyewall replacement cycle. As such, this super typhoon may slightly re-intensify during the remaining time window before its enters its “slowdown” phase. Once it begins accelerating northward during the weekend, a slight intensification may still occur,” added PAGASA.