Tropical storm “Hanna” (international name “Lekima”) may further intensify into a typhoon before it leaves the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Hanna slightly intensified but remains a tropical storm with a wind speed of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph before noon yesterday.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said Hanna will likely intensify into a severe tropical storm within 24 hours and become a typhoon before its exit from the PAR Friday.
A tropical cyclone is classified as a severe tropical storm if it has maximum wind speed of 89 to 117 kph while it is classified as a typhoon if it has maximum wind speed of 118 to 220 kph.
Hanna was estimated at 875 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City around noon yesterday and is forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph. It still has a minimal chance of making landfall over the Philippines.
Estareja said that the southwest monsoon or “habagat” continues to prevail over the country but monsoon clouds are being diverted toward a brewing low pressure area west of Northern Luzon or over the West Philippine Sea. The potential LPA is still outside the PAR as of yesterday.
He said Metro Manila had sunny periods yesterday due to the diversion of monsoon clouds.
However, PAGASA said moderate to heavy monsoon rains are still likely over the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Western Visayas.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be felt in Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Masbate, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, southern part of Palawan, and Visayas.
Monsoon rains will continue while Hanna is still inside the country’s vicinity, Estareja said.
Those living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides were advised to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring official PAGASA updates. (Ellalyn Ruiz)
