PAGASA: Storm not likely to affect Cebu

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Mactan Island station is closely tracking the strong weather disturbance near the country, but said the disturbance will have no significant impact on Cebu.

PAGASA-Cebu officerin-charge Alfredo Quiblat said on Friday that the disturbance already carried the strength of a typhoon, the fourth of the five tropical cyclone classifications.

“We (weather specialists) still continue to monitor the atmospheric conditions because it is still outside PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility),” he said yesterday.

The disturbance carries the international name “Maria.” However, once it enters PAR, it will be given the local name “Gardo,” the country’s seventh tropical cyclone this year.

While it travels, Quiblat said there is 60 percent probability that the disturbance may intensify and become a supertyphoon – the strongest category.

To note, disturbances may gain strength as they travel over the oceans; the heat from the sea is its main energy source.

Quiblat said it is a good thing there is less chance that it will reach the country’s landmass and make landfall. The disturbance is predicted to only pass through the northeast boundary of the PAR.

Quiblat said Maria is expected to enter the PAR by Monday and exit the next day heading to Japan.

According to recent monitoring, PAGASA noted in its 4 p.m. online advisory that Maria was spotted hovering over the seas around 2,060 kilometers east of Central Luzon.

Maria was seen moving in a north-northwest direction with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour.

As it draws nearer to the country, Quiblat said the disturbance may enhance the strength of the Southwest monsoon or habagat that may affect the rainfall and wind condition over the western sections in the country.

He said in Central Visayas, wind strength may vary from slight to moderate. There may be rains brought about by localized thunderstorms.

May B. Miasco/BRP