Turbulence is possible in seas off the western seaboard of Luzon and the Visayas towards this weekend due to expected winds from the southwest monsoon or “habagat” which typhoon “Dindo” (international name ‘Lionrock’) is enhancing to some extent.
“Sea condition can be moderate to rough and waves there may reach about 2.50 meters high,” said Jun Galang, weather forecaster of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
He cautioned against venturing to waters west of Luzon and the Visayas, forecasting moderate to at times strong “habagat” winds that can cause such sea condition and waves there this Friday (Aug. 26) and Saturday (Aug. 27).
Elevating the danger in those waters are expected light to moderate rains and possible onslaught of thunderstorms during the period, Galang continued.
“Winds during thunderstorms can be strong,” he noted.
Small boats can capsize during an hour-long “strong” thunderstorm, he said.
According to PAGASA, ‘habagat’ is weak at present since ‘Dindo’ isn’t significantly enhancing this weather system.
‘Dindo’ is already inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but is still far from the country so this typhoon’s enhancement of ‘habagat’ isn’t very much, said Galang.
In its forecast released Thursday (Aug. 25), PAGASA located “Dindo” at some 1,035 km east-northeast of Batanes province’s Itbayat municipality.
PAGASA also said “Dindo” packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.
Galang expects “Dindo” to likely remain inside PAR for some time.
Two high-pressure areas (HPAs) towards the left and right of ‘Dindo’ are preventing this typhoon from moving northwards away from the Philippines, he said.
PAGASA further forecast “Dindo” to move south-southwest at about four kph.
The HPAs influencing such downward movement of ‘Dindo’ will likely eventually move away from this typhoon, however, noted Galang.
“Such HPAs’ movement will enable ‘Dindo’ to move up and exit PAR around Saturday night,” he said.
Galang noted “Dindo” may weaken while exiting PAR.
Even if such happens, however, he said “Dindo” will still likely be a typhoon-category tropical cyclone. (PNA)
