‘Chedeng’ stays far from PH landmass but will enhance southwest monsoon – Pagasa

TYPHOON “Chedeng” (international name: Guchol) remains far from the Philippine landmass as it starts to change its direction today, Saturday, the Philippine Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said.

“Within the day, typhoon Chedeng is forecast to move northward or north- northeastward. This would be the period where the typhoon recurves,” Pagasa weather forecaster James Villamil said.

As of 4:00 a.m. today, Chedeng was seen some 875 kilometers east of Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 185 kph.

The state weather bureau said by Sunday, Chedeng will accelerate northeastward toward the sea of Ryukyu Islands and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the late evening on Sunday or early morning on Monday.

“Slight intensification in the next 12 hours is not ruled out. It will leave PAR as a typhoon category,” Villamil said.

Pagasa said the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by typhoon Chedeng will bring occasional rains over Occidental Mindoro, northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.

Meanwhile, chances of downpour are likely over Metro Manila, the western section of Luzon and Visayas also due to the southwest monsoon.

Pagasa said raising wind signals is unlikely at this time although the enhancement of the southwest monsoon may bring gusty conditions over some areas in the country, especially in coastal and upland localities.

Starting Saturday night until tomorrow, Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Rizal, Palawan), Bicol Region, Visayas, Zambales, Bataan, Camiguin and Dinagat Islands will experience strong winds, Pagasa said. — Claire Bernadette Mondares

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