Jenny now a typhoon; Signal No. 1 up over Batanes, 3 other areas

Severe Tropical Storm Jenny (international name: Koinu) has intensified and became a typhoon while over the Philippine Sea before dawn on Monday, PAGASA said in its bulletin.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over the following areas:

• Batanes;
• Babuyan Islands;
• the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Lal-Lo, Baggao, Gattaran, Peñablanca); and
• the eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan).

These areas will have strong winds in 36 hours ranging from 39 to 61 km/h, with minimal to minor threat to life and property.

At 4 a.m., the center of Typhoon Jenny was estimated to be located at 655 km east of Aparri, Cagayan or 665 km east of Calayan, Cagayan.

Jenny has maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and central pressure of 975 hPa.

The typhoon is moving northwestward at 10 km/h.

From its center, strong to typhoon-force winds are extending outwards up to 560 km.

Rainfall

Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan will have 50-100 mm of rainfall on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Batanes is expected to have 100-200 mm rainfall, while Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan and Apayao may have 50 to 100 mm of rainfall.

Generally, elevated or mountainous areas have higher rainfall, PAGASA said.

"Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days," the weather bureau said.

Habagat

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to be enhanced by Jenny.

The western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will have occasional to monsoon rains in the next three days.

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

• Monday: Most of Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Bicol Region;
• Tuesday: Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas; and
• Wednesday: Bataan, the southern portion of Aurora, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian Islands, Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, and portions of Bicol Region.

Gale warning

PAGASA raised a gale warning for the coastal waters of Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to the influence of Jenny.

Moderate to rough seas will also be experienced over the coastal waters of mainland Cagayan.

"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.

Track, intensity outlook

On Monday until Tuesday, Jenny is expected to move generally northwestward, then turn west northwestward or westward thereafter. 

"On the track forecast, JENNY will make landfall over the southern portion of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon or evening then exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) over the Taiwan Strait between Thursday evening or Friday morning," PAGASA said.

However, the weather bureau is still not ruling out the possibility that Jenny may make landfall or have a close approach over the Batanes area.

Jenny is expected to steadily intensify and may reach peak intensity on Tuesday.

By mid-Wednesday, it will slightly weaken "due to a potential for dry air entrainment and increased wind shear prior to landfall over Taiwan," PAGASA said.

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

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