Severe Tropical Storm Hanna, known by its international name Haikui, has gained speed and is progressing westward in the Philippine Sea, according to the latest monitoring of the state weather bureau on Thursday.
In a press briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Lorieden De La Cruz said Hanna was located 1,035 kilometers (km) East of Extreme Northern Luzon, packing 110 km per hour (kph) winds and gusts of up to 135 kph.
Hanna is heading in the westward direction at 15 kph speed.
De La Cruz said Hanna is forecasted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and reach 515 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes in the next 48 hours or by Saturday, September 2.
By Sunday, September 3, Hanna may get as far as 795 km north northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.
In its bulletin, PAGASA said that Hanna may be upgraded into the typhoon category within 12 hours while it is still inside PAR.
“This tropical cyclone is forecast to remain far from the Philippine landmass,” it added.
HEAVY RAINFALL, SEVERE WINDS
The state weather bureau reinstated that Hanna and Super Typhoon Saola, formerly called Goring, will still significantly enhance the southwest monsoon.
About 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall is expected over Metro Manila, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Calamian Island on Thursday.
On Friday, September 1, Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, and Calamian Island will also experience 50 to 10 mm rainfall.
Gusty conditions, brought by the enhanced habagat, will be felt in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas.
A gale warning is raised in most seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to hazardous sea conditions caused by the southwest monsoon.
