Super typhoon Mawar to enter PAR on Saturday, says PAGASA

Super Typhoon Mawar has slightly weakened and is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin on Friday, PAGASA said the center of the eye of Mawar was estimated at 1,475 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of 10 p.m.

Mawar is heading west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (km/h) and has maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 250 km/h, and a central pressure of 910 hPa.

Mawar also has strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 570 kilometers from the center.

Track and Intensity

"Super Typhoon MAWAR is forecast to enter the PAR region tomorrow early morning. On the track forecast, the super typhoon will continue accelerating west northwestward until tomorrow before gradually decelerating on Sunday while maintaining its direction," says PAGASA.

On Monday, the weather bureau says, Mawar will move slowly northwestward over the waters east of Batanes and may become almost stationary, then turn north northeastward on Wednesday.

Mawar is forecast to remain a super typhoon until the weekend but the chance of it slightly weakening remains.

"However, it may weaken at a faster rate beginning Monday during its slowdown period due to potential unfavorable conditions although it is expected to remain a typhoon until the end of the forecast period."

Hazards

Heavy rainfall may prevail over Northern Luzon on Monday through Wednesday due to the typhoon, according to PAGASA.

Strong to storm-force conditions may be experienced over Extreme Northern Luzon and the northeastern portion of mainland Northern Luzon, while strong to gale-force conditions are possible over the northern and eastern portions of Northern Luzon mainland.

As a result, wind signals will be raised by tomorrow in anticipation of these severe winds.

Meanwhile, the tropical cyclone may stir the southwest monsoon and bring monsoon rains over the western portions of Southern Luzon, and Visayas starting on Monday and the western portions of Northern and Central Luzon beginning Wednesday.

The Philippines is bracing for Mawar’s entry in the PAR. Several government offices and local government units already have preparations in place including Cagayan Region, Cebu Province, and Batanes. Classes have been suspended in some areas. -- BAP, GMA Integrated News