MANILA, Philippines – The forecast track of Tropical Storm Man-yi or potential Pepito is still uncertain but a landfall over Southern Luzon during the weekend is possible.
As of 11 am on Thursday, Man-yi was still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), at 1,375 km East of Northeastern Mindanao.
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| Satellite image of Typhoon Ofel and Tropical Storm Man-yi (Pepito) as of 2:00 pm, November 14, 2024. Photo courtesy: PAGASA |
The tropical storm is moving west southwest at a relatively fast 25 kilometers per hour (km/h).
Man-yi has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 996 hPa.
It may enter the PAR region tonight.
SEE ALSO: Super Typhoon Ofel PAGASA weather update November 14, 2024
State weather bureau PAGASA said that due to high pressure area over the south of Japan, Man-yi is forecast to move southwestward over the next 12 hours before turning generally westward while approaching the eastern boundary of PAR.
Man-yi may make landfall over the eastern coast of Southern Luzon during the weekend (November 16 or 17).
Based on PAGASA's forecast track, incoming 'Pepito' may traverse Bicol, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon regions.
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| Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
Note: It must be emphasized that the track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone, especially on the 3rd and 4th day of the forecast track.
Therefore, the landfall point may also shift within the range of the forecast confidence cone from the eastern coast of Central Luzon to the eastern coast of Eastern Visayas.
Man-yi is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm today and may reach typhoon category by tomorrow morning.
Since this tropical cyclone may reach typhoon category while over the Philippine Sea, the possibility for Man-yi to reach super typhoon category prior to landfall is also not ruled out. Regardless, it may make landfall at peak intensity.
While the exact areas to be affected by Pepito is still unknown, PAGASA said most areas in Luzon and Eastern Visayas are at risk of heavy rainfall, severe wind, and, possibly, storm surpepitoge inundation.
— The Summit Express
