Super Typhoon Bavi less likely to hit PH; heavy rains, gusts expected

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A super typhoon expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week is less likely to make landfall in the Philippines, according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the super typhoon, internationally named “Bavi,” may still bring gusty winds and enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) rains despite staying offshore.

The bureau said the system is forecast to enter PAR on Wednesday morning, July 8, when it will be assigned the local name “Inday.”

Latest forecasts show that its track will bring it closest to Batanes before a possible landfall in Taiwan.

READ: Cebu to begin week with fair weather, isolated rains

Super typhoon entering PAR

As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, the cyclone remained outside PAR but within Pagasa’s monitoring area.

It was located about 2,645 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas and was moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour.

The cyclone was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h and gusts of up to 240 km/h.

Pagasa said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be raised over the northern and eastern portions of Northern Luzon once the cyclone enters PAR.

Gusty winds, rough seas

The agency warned that gusty conditions could begin affecting many parts of the country between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sea conditions along the country’s eastern seaboards are likewise expected to become rough to very rough by Wednesday.

Pagasa said a gale warning will be issued over the eastern seaboards once hazardous marine conditions develop.

READ: Super typhoon Bavi may enter PAR by July 8; fair weather seen July 5

Enhanced habagat

Although less likely to hit the country’s landmass, the tropical cyclone is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat.

Pagasa said the combined effects of the tropical cyclone and the enhanced habagat could bring heavy rains over the northern and western portions of the country beginning Thursday, July 9.

Some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao may also experience scattered rains as early as Wednesday due to the enhanced monsoon.

According to a July 3 forecast issued by the Visayas Pagasa Regional Services Division, light to moderate rains, with periods of heavy rainfall, are expected over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

READ: Super Typhoon Bavi to bring strong winds to PH starting July 7 — Pagasa

By Friday, July 10, Pagasa said rains accompanied by gusty winds may affect the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley.

The agency added that monsoon rains may also persist over the western sections of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon, as well as Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

READ: Pagasa: Over 60% chance of El Niño intensifying from August onwards

Fair weather for now

Meanwhile, Pagasa said most parts of the country will continue to experience generally fair weather at the start of the week.

However, isolated rain showers and thunderstorms may still develop due to the prevailing easterlies.

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