‘Nando’ now a typhoon
MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Nando (international name: Ragasa) has rapidly intensified into a typhoon as it moved closer to the country’s landmass on Saturday, September 20, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
As of 10 a.m., the eye of Nando was estimated at 775 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts reaching up to 150 kph. Its central pressure was recorded at 985 hPa.
The typhoon is currently moving west northwestward at 10 kph, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outward up to 500 km from its center.
While no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) has been raised so far, PAGASA said Signal No. 1 will likely be hoisted over Northern Luzon and the eastern portion of Central Luzon within the day.
The highest possible wind warning during its passage is Signal No. 5.
Monsoon rains
The state weather bureau said Nando will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing strong to gale-force gusts to the following areas:
- Saturday, September 20: Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and Caraga
- Sunday, September 21: Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
- Monday, September 22: Central Luzon (areas not under wind signal), Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
Track, intensity look
Nando is expected to continue moving northwestward in the next 12 hours before veering west northwestward toward Extreme Northern Luzon.
On its current track, the center may pass close to or make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands by Monday, September 22.
PAGASA said Nando is likely to intensify further and could reach super typhoon category before its close approach to Northern Luzon.
The typhoon is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday morning, September 23.
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