'Champi' maintains strength, may regain super typhoon strength before entering PAR
MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Champi has maintained its strength while moving west-northwestward over the sea west of Guam and may regain super typhoon status before entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA said Monday.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Monday, October 19, the state weather bureau said Champi was carrying maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 215 kph.
The tropical cyclone is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending up to 720 kilometers from its center.
Champi was last spotted 1,600 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, outside PAR.
It is expected to enter the country's monitoring area by Tuesday morning or early afternoon. Once inside PAR, it will be given the domestic name Rosal.
Strong winds, rainfall
PAGASA said tropical cyclone wind signals may be raised over the northern and eastern portions of Northern Luzon and parts of the Bicol Region as early as Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
The highest wind signal in the current forecast scenario is Signal No. 3 or 4.
Gusty conditions may affect most parts of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as portions of Mindanao, beginning Wednesday.
The tropical cyclone is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to Extreme Northern Luzon. PAGASA said a weather advisory will be issued for the affected areas.
Sea conditions
Moderate to rough seas may begin affecting the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao by Tuesday.
Hazardous sea conditions, with very rough to very high seas, may affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon from Wednesday onward.
PAGASA said a gale warning for very rough seas is expected to be issued on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
Track, intensity
Champi is expected to continue moving west-northwestward before entering the PAR on Tuesday, after which it will move toward Taiwan while remaining over the Philippine Sea.
PAGASA said Champi may re-intensify beginning Monday evening and regain super typhoon status, with further intensification possible as it moves over the Philippine Sea.
A gradual weakening trend is expected to begin on Wednesday after the tropical cyclone reaches its peak intensity.
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