Potential Super Typhoon to Enter PAR This Weekend, Named Uwan
The tropical depression currently located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is moving west-northwest while maintaining its strength, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday.
The center of the tropical depression is estimated to be 1,770 km east of northeastern Mindanao. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 70 km per hour. The system is traveling west-northwest at 15 km per hour.
PAGASA forecasts the disturbance is likely to enter the PAR by late Friday or early Saturday and will be named Uwan, marking it as the country's 21st cyclone this year.
The weather system is expected to intensify quickly, potentially reaching super typhoon status before making landfall over Northern or Central Luzon early next week.
Starting Friday evening or Saturday morning, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be raised over eastern parts of Luzon and Samar Provinces in preparation for strong winds and heavy rainfall.
PAGASA warned, "The highest possible alert under the current forecast scenario could reach Signal No."
Author's summary: A tropical depression named Uwan is forecasted to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend, potentially intensifying into a super typhoon before impacting Northern or Central Luzon.