PAGASA closely monitoring storm

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is closely monitoring a new typhoon, which is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow.

Based on the weather bureau’s satellite data yesterday morning, the storm, with the international name of “Yutu,” was last spotted 2,535 kilometers east of Central Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 210 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 260 kph.

Although PAGASA posted a predicted path for the storm, showing it would arrive east of Cagayan province within 72 hours, weather bureaus from other nations, such as the US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the Japan Meteorological Agency, show the storm likely slowing down northeast of Luzon before heading towards Japan.

PAGASA, however, stated the storm would likely trigger the northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” which could bring rains and cold winds to most of the country, including the Visayas.

They added, the storm would likely weaken due to the effects of the northeast monsoon.

Until then, PAGASA has advised the public to monitor storm updates on television and radio./DGB, WDJ