Typhoons seen to hit region, Philippine area by June

MANILA, Philippines  — A high pressure system, or the clockwise flow of sinking air that raises temperature, will likely direct typhoons toward the Philippines by next month, an American media weather forecaster reported.

In a report issued Wednesday, AccuWeather tropical weather expert Dan Kottlowski said circulation around the high pressure area is expected to deliver heat waves across northeastern China to Japan, triggering the buildup of cyclones near the Philippines.

"Should El Niño develop quickly and become stronger than anticipated, the number of tropical storms and typhoons could be significantly higher as ocean waters in the prime development areas are much warmer than average," Kottlowski said.

El Niño is the warm phase of sea surface temperature that fluctuate over the tropical Pacific. Tropical cyclones are developed when ocean waters get warmer.

"When waters are significantly warmer than average, there is greater potential for tropical storms to form and strengthen rapidly," the report said.

Adam Douty, another AccuWeather metereologist, said a number of significant weather systems may hit the western Pacific, east of the Philippines.

"The overall number of significant impacts may be similar to or perhaps higher than 2016 on the Philippines, Taiwan, southeastern China and Vietnam," Douty said in the report.

Overall numbers of tropical storms, typhoons and super typhoons to hit the area around the Philippines are projected by AccuWeather to be close to average but slightly higher than 2016.

It is unclear, however, how many of the forecasted 27 tropical storms, 16 typhoons and 7 super-typhoons from June to September will enter the Philippine area of responsibility.

The Philippines is visited by an average of 22 tropical cyclones a year, with at least six having a significant impact that require relief efforts. Eight or nine of these make landfall. — Kristian Javier