Typhoon Chedeng maintains strength as it move north-northwest

Typhoon Chedeng has maintained its strength as it heads north-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said on Friday.

As of 4 p.m., the center of the eye of the typhoon was estimated based on all available data at 885 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. It is moving north-northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (km/h) while packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 160 km/h, and central pressure of 975 hPa.

It has strong typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 520 km from the center.

Chedeng is unlikely to directly spur rainfall in any part of the country in the next three to five days but it will enhance the prevailing southwest monsoon (habagat), triggering occasional rains over some portions of southwestern Luzon.

The enhanced habagat may likewise bring gusty conditions over the following areas: Visayas, Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, the northern portion of Palawan including Kalayaan, Calamian, and Cuyo Islands, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Camiguin.

wMeanwhile, PAGASA warned mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea as the typhoon may bring moderate to rough seas (2.0 to 3.5 m) over the seaboards of extreme Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of mainland Northern Luzon in the next 24 hours.

On the forecast track, Chedeng may remain far from the Philippine landmass and is now approaching the period where it will be closest to the country.

It is forecast to move north-northwestward in the next 12 hours before turning generally north or north-northeastward Saturday.

It will accelerate while moving northeastward towards the sea southeast of Japan on Sunday and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday.

PAGASA expects the typhoon to reach its peak intensity of 140 km/h within the next 24 to 36 hours.

A weakening trend may begin during the weekend, although this tropical cyclone is forecast to remain a typhoon within the forecast period. —NB, GMA Integrated News