PAGASA monitors tropical storm that could develop into a super typhoon

The state weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring a tropical storm over the Pacific Ocean that could enter the country’s area of responsibility later this week, and possibly develop into a super typhoon.

According to PAGASA, it is now looking into the tropical storm with the international name Mawar, which would be called Betty should it enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday or Saturday.

“Anything can happen, lalo na kung favorable ‘yung environmental — both the oceanic and atmospheric condition, posibleng mas lumakas pa ito,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Chief Chris Perez said in a report by Katrina Son on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(Anything can happen especially if the environmental factors are favorable, both the oceanic and atmospheric conditions, this may strengthen.)

Should it continue on its current trajectory, the tropical storm could hit the northeastern part of the country, and strengthen the southeast wind flow moving forward.

Stronger typhoons are said to be among the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which the country is currently bracing for. Previous records show that the country experienced at least 15 typhoons in the past years.

The country recorded 15 typhoons during the storm season in 2015 and 14 in 2016 when the country recorded a strong El Niño, while there were 11 in 2010 when a moderate El Niño was recorded.

“Kung maka-monitor man po tayo ng super typhoon ay may tendency na hindi mag-landfall dito sa ating bansa,” Perez said.

(If we monitor a super typhoon, there is a tendency that it won't make landfall over our country.) — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA Integrated News