Jenny further intensifies while over the Philippine Sea, may enhance Habagat

Tropical Storm Jenny (international name: Koinu) further intensified while traversing the Philippine Sea on Sunday, PAGASA said in its forecast.

While Jenny has no direct effect on the country at this time, it may enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), the weather bureau added.

At 4 a.m., the center of Jenny was estimated to be located at 835 km east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 992 hPa.

Jenny is moving northwestward at 20 km/h.

From its center, strong to gale-force winds extend outwards up to 500 km.

PAGASA said it has not raised any tropical cyclone wind signals at this time, but may do so over Extreme Northern Luzon on Sunday night or Monday in anticipation of tropical cyclone severe winds.

Rainfall, winds

Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte may expect heavy rainfall on Wednesday or Thursday due to the proximity of the track forecast to Extreme Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, Palawan and Occidental Mindoro may possibly have occasional rains in the next three days due to the Southwest Monsoon which may be enhanced by Jenny.

Gusty conditions may be felt in the next three days over the following areas, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds, due to the monsoon:

• Sunday until Monday: Palawan, Romblon, and Western Visayas; and
• Tuesday: Western Visayas, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and most of Calabarzon.

Coastal waters

Moderate to rough seas are expected on Monday over the coastal waters of Extreme Northern Luzon and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan due to Jenny.

"Mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels," PAGASA said.

The weather bureau said there is a high possibility of having a gale warning for these coastal waters in the coming days.

Track, intensity outlook

Jenny is seen to move generally northwestward until Monday, then west northwestward on Tuesday towards the Luzon Strait. On Wednesday, it will go generally westward.

"On the track forecast, JENNY will pass over the Bashi Channel between Batanes and the southern portion of Taiwan between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning," PAGASA said.

"However, a landfall or close approach scenario over Extreme Northern Luzon is still not ruled out since these scenarios are within the forecast confidence cone," it added.

PAGASA said Jenny is expected to steadily intensify and may even become a severe tropical storm on Sunday. 

On Monday evening or Tuesday, Jenny may develop further into a typhoon, it added.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary measures to protect life and property.

The weather bureau will issue the next tropical cyclone bulletin at 11 a.m. —KG, GMA Integrated News