By Ellalyn V. Ruiz
A tropical cyclone with the international name “Kong-rey” is expected to enter the Philippines tonight or tomorrow but could likely follow the same track as typhoon “Paeng” (international name “Trami”).
As of noon yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration estimated the location of Kong-rey at 1,445 kilometers east of Visayas.
It has further intensified into a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 120 kph while moving west-northwest at 25 kph.
PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said Kong-rey is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility tonight or tomorrow morning.
Once inside the Philippines, the tropical cyclone will be named “Queenie,” the 17th to enter this year and the first in October.
It could reach the typhoon category during its peak intensity while inside the country’s vicinity, he added. However, the weather disturbance is not expected to hit the landmass, as it may follow the same track as Paeng, Mendoza also said.
This morning, the tropical cyclone will be 1,600 kms east of Baler, Aurora or still outside the PAR.
PAGASA said the trough or extension of Kong-rey will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas today.