A LOW pressure area (LPA) east of northern Luzon developed into a tropical depression yesterday afternoon and was named “Gardo,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In a bulletin issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA said Gardo was some 1,185 km east of extreme northern Luzon as of 4 p.m yesterday. It was moving west southwestward at 15 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Gardo, which developed from a low pressure area into a tropical depression at around 2 p.m. yesterday, was forecast to interact with a previous tropical storm, with international name Hinnamnor, which intensified into a super typhoon at 2 p.m. yesterday.
“This tropical cyclone (Gardo) is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours. However, the disturbance may degenerate into a remnant low by Thursday afternoon as Hinnamnor begins to assimilate its circulation,” PAGASA said.
Hinnamnor is forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility tonight. If this pushes through, it will be given the local name Henry.
In a 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Hinnamnor was located some 1,485 km east northeast of extreme northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It was moving westward at 30 kph.
“Super typhoon Hinnanmor will move generally westward today (yesterday) over the sea south of Japan, then turn west southwestward tomorrow (today) while decelerating over the sea southeast of the Ryukyu Islands (in Japan),” PAGASA said.
“This tropical cyclone may continue to intensify over the sea south of Japan and may reach a peak intensity of 195 kph,” PAGASA said.
While at the Philippine Sea, Hinnamnor will further decelerate and will become almost stationary on Friday and Saturday.
“This tropical cyclone may bring rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboard of Luzon beginning late Thursday or early Friday. Such condition may be risky for those using small seacraft. Mariners are advised to continue monitoring for updates,” it added.
PAGASA weather specialist Anna Clauren said Hinnamnor is not expected to make landfall.
Clauren said Hinnamnor will be nearest to the extreme Northern Luzon on Friday, “that’s why we are not ruling out the possibility we will raise tropical cyclone wind signal in Batanes and Babuyan Islands.”
“Though its not going to make landfall, it doesn’t mean it will not be bring rains in the country,” she also said.
She said Hinnamnor will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains in portions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
