Super typhoon Mawar has weakened into a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday afternoon.
In a press briefing, PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez said Mawar was last located 2,305 kilometers away from east Visayas and is moving northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (km/h).
He said it has a maximum sustain wind of 175 km/h and gusts of up to 215 km/h.
Once typhoon Mawar enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday or Saturday evening, it will be named "Betty."
But Perez said PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility that Mawar could re-intensify into a super typhoon.
"Malawak pa ang karagatan na tatahakin nito. Possible 'yung mainit na sea surface temperature ay makadagdag pa sa eneheriya para lalo at muling lumakas sa super typhoon itong si typhoon Mawar," he added.
The state weather forecaster said maximum winds could reach 205 km/h over the weekend.
According to Perez, Typhoon Mawar has a low possibility to make landfall but some areas in Northern Luzon, particularly Ilocos and Cagayan may experience rainshowers.
"We're also not ruling out the possibility na baka magtaas tayo ng warning signal," the PAGASA official added.
