The JTWC forecasts Typhoon Hagupit to pack 240 kph winds by December 6 (Saturday), 8 a.m., when it is nearer the Philippines’ landmass.
According to state weather bureau PAGASA, Tropical Storm Ruby with international name “Hagupit” is set to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between Thursday and Friday.
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Hagupit was headed towards the eastern portion of the country, packing maximum sustained winds of 90 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 125 kph as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014.
Hagupit, which means lash in Filipino, was moving west-northwest at 35 kph as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Rene Paciente, senior weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Hagupit is likely to intensify into a typhoon before entering the PAR.
Paciente said the weather bureau is still looking at two scenarios for Hagupit: make landfall over eastern Visayas on Sunday or recurve toward Japan.
PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said the more likely scenario for Hagupit is for the storm to skirt the Philippines and move towards Japan due to the presence of the high pressure area (anti-cyclone) northeast of the Philippines and the strengthening of the northeast monsoon (amihan), which brings cold winds that are unfavorable for the development or intensification of a weather disturbance.
comments
