The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday morning, May 27, said super typhoon Mawar has entered the Philippine area of responsibility. It was given the local name Betty.
Super typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar)
PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja, in a public weather forecast, said the super typhoon entered PAR around 2 a.m. on Saturday. It was last spotted 1,320 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 240 kph. Betty is not yet directly affecting any parts of the country. According to Estareja, rain showers that may be experienced today will be caused by the southwesterly windflow. “Pagsapit ng Lunes hanggang Miyerkules – ito ang pinaka crucial na part dahil [magiging] pinaka malapit po ito sa ating kalupaan, particularly Batanes and Babuyan Islands around 250 hanggang 300 km away na lamang mula sa kanyang mata (Monday to Wednesday – this is the most crucial part because it will be the closest to our land, particularly Batanes and Babuyan Islands around 250 to 300 km away from the eye of the cyclone),” said Estareja. Due to the weather disturbance’s wide radius extending to at least 500 to 600 km, Betty may also dump heavy rains and cause strong winds in Cagayan Valley, northern portion of Aurora, northern and eastern portions of Cordillera Region, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur beginning Sunday, May 28 until Wednesday, May 31. Residents of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao may also expect rain showers within the forecast period due to cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon. Areas that could specifically be affected include the western sections of MIMAROPA, western Visayas, and Mindanao. PAGASA has yet to raise wind signals due to Betty, but Estareja said it may be hoisted as early as Saturday afternoon in preparation for the cyclone’s impact.
Super typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar)
PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja, in a public weather forecast, said the super typhoon entered PAR around 2 a.m. on Saturday. It was last spotted 1,320 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 240 kph. Betty is not yet directly affecting any parts of the country. According to Estareja, rain showers that may be experienced today will be caused by the southwesterly windflow. “Pagsapit ng Lunes hanggang Miyerkules – ito ang pinaka crucial na part dahil [magiging] pinaka malapit po ito sa ating kalupaan, particularly Batanes and Babuyan Islands around 250 hanggang 300 km away na lamang mula sa kanyang mata (Monday to Wednesday – this is the most crucial part because it will be the closest to our land, particularly Batanes and Babuyan Islands around 250 to 300 km away from the eye of the cyclone),” said Estareja. Due to the weather disturbance’s wide radius extending to at least 500 to 600 km, Betty may also dump heavy rains and cause strong winds in Cagayan Valley, northern portion of Aurora, northern and eastern portions of Cordillera Region, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur beginning Sunday, May 28 until Wednesday, May 31. Residents of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao may also expect rain showers within the forecast period due to cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon. Areas that could specifically be affected include the western sections of MIMAROPA, western Visayas, and Mindanao. PAGASA has yet to raise wind signals due to Betty, but Estareja said it may be hoisted as early as Saturday afternoon in preparation for the cyclone’s impact.