Inday slightly weakens; trough may bring isolated rains

MANILA, Philippines (Updated, 11:18 a.m.) — Typhoon Inday (international name: Muifa) has further weakened as it approached southern Japan, but the cyclone’s trough may bring isolated rains, state weather bureau PAGASA said Monday morning.

Inday was last seen 465 kilometers northeast of Itbayat in Batanes, with peak winds of 150 kph near the center and gusts of up to 185 kph.

It was moving northward slowly. According to PAGASA, Inday was making its close approach to southern Japan’s Ishigaki Island.

Weather forecasters said the typhoon is not expected to directly bring heavy rains in the country. However, the cyclone's trough or extension or localized thunderstorms may bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

The hoisting of wind signals is also unlikely throughout the forecast period. But gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength may be experienced over Extreme Northern Luzon until Wednesday due to the channeling of the typhoon circulation in the Luzon Strait.

A gale warning was issued for the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to the influence of Inday.

In the next 24 hours, Inday may also bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard and the remaining northern seaboard of Northern Luzon (1.2 to 3 meters). Such conditions may be risky for those using small sea vessels.

Inday may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday night. It is projected to gradually weaken throughout the forecast period due to the cooler waters over the sea east of Taiwan and East China Sea, and increasing vertical wind shear along its projected path.

Inday’s position

• September 12, 2022 8:00 PM - 515 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• September 13, 2022 8:00 AM - 590 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (outside PAR)
• September 13, 2022 8:00 PM - 680 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (outside PAR)
• September 14, 2022 8:00 AM - 790 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (outside PAR)
• September 14, 2022 8:00 PM - 950 km north of Extreme Northern Luzon (outside PAR)

— Gaea Katreena Cabico