Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthens outside PAR, may eventually become a typhoon
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Bebinca intensified outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday morning, September 11, while moving away from the United States island territory of Guam.
In its 11 am advisory on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Bebinca already has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 105 km/h.
It is expected to keep strengthening, possibly reaching severe tropical storm status within 24 hours and typhoon status late Thursday, September 12.
Bebinca was last spotted 1,825 kilometers east northeast of Eastern Visayas or 1,955 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon at 10 am on Wednesday.
It is moving west at 25 km/h, and at this rate, may enter PAR as a typhoon on Friday afternoon or evening, September 13. When it enters, it will be given the local name Ferdie.
Bebinca’s stay inside PAR will be brief, since it is projected to exit on Saturday morning, September 14.
PAGASA expects the tropical cyclone to stay far from Philippine landmass. It will only pass over waters near the PAR northeastern boundary, and will not directly affect the country.
But the weather bureau warned that Bebinca will already begin enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, even before its entry into PAR.
The southwest monsoon could bring heavy rain to Bicol, Mimaropa, the Visayas, and the northern and western parts of Mindanao starting Thursday.
“Note that the areas with monsoon-related heavy rainfall may change depending on possible changes in the track and intensity forecast of Bebinca,” PAGASA said.
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Also due to the southwest monsoon, up to moderate seas are likely in the next 24 hours in the western seaboard of Palawan including Kalayaan Islands (waves 1 to 2.5 meters high), as well as the eastern seaboard of southern Palawan and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao (waves 0.5 to 2 meters high).
The weather bureau advised small vessels to take precautionary measures or avoid sailing in the affected seaboards, if possible. – Rappler.com