MANILA, Philippines – 'Pepito' (international name: Man-yi) has intensified into a typhoon as it undergoes rapid intensification, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 11:00 am update on Friday, November 15, 2024.
At 10:00 am today, the center of the eye of Typhoon Pepito was estimated based on all available data at 630 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
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| Satellite image of Typhoon Pepito as of 11:00 am, November 15, 2024. Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
'Bagyong Pepito' has maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 160 km/h, and central pressure of 975 hPa. It is moving westward at 30 km/h.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
Signal No. 2 was raised over the eastern portion of Northern Samar (Mapanas, Gamay, Palapag, Lapinig) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog).
Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the southeastern portion of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate.
The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Pepito is Wind Signal No. 5, PAGASA said.
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
On the track forecast, 'Pepito' is more likely to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes tomorrow (November 16) evening or on Sunday (November 17) early morning.
However, considering the limits of the forecast confidence cone, a landfall scenario over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur, Albay, or Sorsogon during the same time frame, over the eastern coast of Northern Samar tomorrow afternoon or evening, or along the eastern coast of Quezon or Aurora on Sunday afternoon or evening remains not ruled out.
Regardless of the landfall point, 'Pepito' will more likely move generally west northwestward over the weekend and pass over or near the landmass of Bicol Region, Quezon, Central Luzon provinces, and Pangasinan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Sunday evening or Monday (November 18) morning.
'Pepito' will continue to rapidly intensify today through tomorrow and may reach super typhoon category prior to its landfall tomorrow evening or on Sunday early morning.
TROPICAL CYCLONES THIS YEAR
'Bagyong Ofel' is the Philippines' 15th tropical cyclone for 2024. It entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Tuesday morning, November 12.
On average, there are 20 tropical cyclones that could form or enter the PAR each year. Only half of those are projected to make landfall.
READ: LIST: PAGASA releases Philippine Typhoon names in 2024
— The Summit Express
