Super Typhoon Betty has weakened into a typhoon as it continues its trajectory over the Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In a press briefing held at 4 am on Sunday, PAGASA reported that the eye of Super Typhoon Betty was last observed approximately 815 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, moving west-northwestward at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.
Currently, the typhoon boasts a strength of 175 km/h near its center, with gusts reaching up to 215 km/h.
PAGASA forecasts indicate that Betty will maintain its west-northwestward or northwestward path until Monday while gradually losing intensity.
"Nakikita natin na unti-unting babagal ang kilos nito. Posible 'yan [na mabagal] hanggang bukas habang ito ay kumikilos generally west northwestward or northwestward patungo 'yan dito sa karagatan Singalan ng extreme Northern Luzon," stated PAGASA in its briefing.
"As early as monday, tomorrow po 'yan makakaranas na ng mga pag-ulan itong malaking bahagi o ilang bahagi ng Northern Luzon. Kasabay naman nito na i-enhance ni Typhoon Betty 'yung southwest monsoon na siya namang magdudulot ng mga pag-ulan dito sa may Kanlurang bahagi ng Western Visayas at ng Sothern Luzon," PAGASA added.
By Tuesday, Betty is anticipated to become slow-moving or almost stationary over the waters east of Batanes.
"At nakikita nga natin by Tuesday na mataas ang posibilidad na bumagal ang pagkilos nito o maging almost stationary ito," cautioned PAGASA.
Subsequently, by mid-Wednesday or Thursday, Betty is projected to resume its movement toward the north or north-northeast.
The typhoon is expected to maintain its status as a typhoon throughout the forecast period, although gradual weakening is anticipated until Tuesday.
However, as Betty moves northward or north-northeastward on Wednesday or Thursday, increasingly unfavorable environmental conditions will result in a faster rate of weakening.
Meanwhile, PAGASA predicts that Betty may be downgraded to a severe tropical storm category by late Thursday or early Friday.
