'Hagupit' to intensify into super typhoon

MANILA, Philippines - The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the United States military expects Typhoon 'Hagupit' to intensify into a super typhoon within 48 hours.

In an update posted on its website on Wednesday, the JTWC said the typhoon was packing 1-minute sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (100 knots) and gusts of 231 kilometers per hour (125 knots).

The Hawaii-based agency sees the cyclone to intensify further as it moves closer to the Philippines.

"Favorable sea surface temperatures, along with continually favorable upper-level conditions, will allow the system to further intensify and is expected to reach super typhoon status by TAU 48," the JTWC said.

By December 5, Friday, the agency expects Hagupit to bear sustained winds of 240 kilometers per hour (130 knots).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Hagupit will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday and make landfall on Saturday. It is still looking at two scenarios for the typhoon.

Read: PAGASA: Higher chance 'Hagupit' will hit Philippines

In a press briefing this afternoon, PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Operations and Services Landrico Dalida Jr. said the possibility of Hagupit making landfall over Eastern Visayas is at 75 percent.

Dalida also clarified that PAGASA will only be officially adopting the super typhoon category in 2015, along with the public storm warning signal no. 5.

He also quelled fears that Hagupit will be as powerful as Yolanda, the super typhoon that devastated Eastern Visayas in November 2013.