The tropical cyclone off Pacific Ocean has strengthened into a typhoon and may further intensify into a super typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, May 22.

As of Monday morning, the typhoon with the international name Mawar had maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gusts of up to 160 kph, up from 100 kph maximum sustained winds and gusts of up to 125 kph on Sunday afternoon.

In a public weather forecast, PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said Mawar has a chance of intensifying into a super typhoon with winds of at least 185 kph while still over the ocean.

However, it has no direct effect on the Philippines yet, but it continues to enhance the southwesterly wind flow, which causes cloudy weather with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique, he added.

Residents in these areas have been warned of the possibility of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Badrina said the rest of the country will continue to experience warm and humid weather, but isolated rain showers and thunderstorms will be more frequent in these areas.

The public is advised to exercise caution during severe thunderstorms, as these may also trigger landslides or flash floods, especially in areas that are vulnerable to these hazards.

Typhoon to enter PAR by Friday, will be named ‘Betty’

As of 3 a.m., Monday, Mawar was approximately 2,330 kilometers east of Mindanao or still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

It was moving west-northwestward at 15 kph.

Badrina said Mawar may intensify the southwest monsoon or “habagat” as it enters the PAR on May 26, which will bring rains to the western part of the country by weekend.

The weather disturbance will be given the local name “Betty” once inside PAR, he added.

It will be the second tropical cyclone inside the PAR for 2023.