Weather Today – October 18, 2016 | Brace for a possible super typhoon: #LAWINPH forecast to hit Cagayan

“Hindi natin inaalis ‘yung posibilidad na ito ay maging super typhoon. Sa ngayon, nakikita natin ang kaniyang patuloy na paglakas.”

These were the words of PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robert Badrina on Typhoon Lawin in an interview with PanahonTV today.

GET TO KNOW LAWIN

Lawin, the Philippines’ 12th tropical cyclone of the year, entered the country’s boundary under typhoon category in the afternoon of October 17. It had maximum sustained winds of 175 kph (kilometers per hour) and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

In less than 24 hours, it gained strength while traversing the Philippine Sea. At 11:00 AM today, it was located 950 kilometers east of Daet, Camarines Norte. It had maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, moving west northwest at 25 kph.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

A super typhoon is a classification of a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of more than 220 kilometers per hour. It is as powerful as 120 nautical miles per hour or more, comparable to the speed of a bullet train.

This category was formally adopted by PAGASA in 2015 after Typhoon Yolanda caused massive destruction to lives and properties in the Visayan area on November 2013.

LAWIN’S TRACK
Lawin is yet to have any direct effect to the country but as early as now, four areas in Luzon remain under tropical cyclone warning signals while moderate to heavy rains are expected within the 650-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

Lawin is expected to make landfall in the Cagayan Area by Wednesday evening or Thursday early morning, October 20, 2016. Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, it is expected to intensify further into a super typhoon before hitting the landmass.

“Bukas ng gabi inaasahan natin na posibleng magkaroon ng landfall ang bagyo, at doon magiging napakalakas ng hangin at mga pag-ulan sa bahagi ng Northern Luzon,” says Badrina.

After hitting the country’s landmass, it is expected to cross Apayao and Ilocos Norte before leaving Philippine boundary on Friday.

According to Badrina, Lawin could affect Metro Manila if it expands in diameter: “Kung aabot ito ng 800 kilometers, medyo bababa nga. Kung bababa nga ‘yung track, pwedeng abutin ‘yung Metro Manila pero sa nakikita natin, hanggang signal number 1 na lang siguro. Hindi naman ito tataas pa d’un.”

PREPARATION
Here are ways you can prepare for the typhoon: