‘Nando’ intensifies, may hit Batanes-Babuyan as super typhoon
MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Nando (international name: Ragasa) further intensified early Saturday, September 20, as it continued to barrel northwestward over the Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the storm’s center was spotted 780 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 125 kph.
It was moving northwest at 10 kph, with strong to storm-force winds extending outward up to 440 kilometers.
Although no tropical cyclone wind signal has yet been raised, PAGASA said Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over Northern Luzon within the day, with the highest possible alert reaching Signal No. 5 during its passage.
Monsoon rains
Nando is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains and strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas this weekend.
- Saturday, September 20: Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga
- Sunday, September 21: Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
- Monday, September 22: Central Luzon (areas not under wind signal), Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
Track, intensity look
Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, Nando will likely veer west-northwestward toward Extreme Northern Luzon, passing close to or making landfall over Batanes or the Babuyan Islands between Monday afternoon and evening.
It may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning or noon.
The storm is projected to reach typhoon category within 12 hours and may intensify into a super typhoon before its approach to Northern Luzon.
- Latest
- Trending
