Weather Today – August 18, 2015 | Typhoon “Goni” to enter PAR today

Typhoon “Goni” is now moving closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Based on the latest location from PAGASA, it was estimated at 1,530 kilometers east of Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 205 kilometers per hour. It has slightly accelerated, now moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar says that if it maintains its current velocity, it will possibly enter the PAR today, probably in the afternoon. Once it enters our boundary, it will be called by its local name, “Ineng.”

Meanwhile, according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Manny Mendoza, this typhoon still has the chance of making a landfall over extreme Northern Luzon, possibly over Batanes or the Cagayan area on or before Friday.

Mendoza added that as the typhoon nears the country, habagat will be enhanced, bringing rains over the western sections of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. Whether Goni hits the land or not, it will indirectly affect the country due to the surge of habagat.

Escullar advises the public to monitor updates and further development as public storm warning signals could be raised over some parts of Northern and Central Luzon.

Goni has no effect yet on any part of the country, but the prevailing Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will still dump light to moderate rains over Visayas and Palawan. The rest of the country including Metro Manila can expect generally fair weather aside from the isolated thunderstorms.

On the other hand, another typhoon moves just behind Goni. As of 8:00 AM today, “Atsani” was located at approximately 3,740 kilometers east of Luzon. Packing winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 195 kilometers per hour, it moves west-northwest, slightly slower than Goni, at 20 kilometers per hour. As of now, the probability of it entering the PAR remains slim.