Typhoon Nanmadol may enter the country’s area of responsibility Friday afternoon, Sept. 16, and once inside, it will be given a domestic name “Josie,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Nanmadol was estimated at 1,465 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, moving west-northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).
If it maintains its speed and track, Nanmadol may only briefly stay within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and may exit the area by Friday evening or Saturday early morning, Sept. 17, PAGASA said.
“Further intensification is forecast to occur throughout the forecast period. Nanmadol may reach to super typhoon category within 24 hours,” it added.
As of Friday noon, the typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph.
Although PAGASA said Nanmadol may remain far from the Philippine landmass and not have a direct effect on the country, the typhoon may enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
As such, monsoon rains may prevail over the western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas in the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
“The enhancement of the southwest monsoon may also bring gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength, especially in coastal and mountainous/upland areas, over Visayas, Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Bicol Region, and the northern and western portions of Mindanao,” PAGASA said.