·

Super Typhoon “Hagupit” now a major threat for Philippines

hagupit-a-major-threat-for-philippines

Super Typhoon Hagupit, locally known as Ruby, is about to bear down on the Philippines this weekend. More than 30 million people will be impacted by this cyclone. Some areas in its path are still trying to recover from Haiyan, which will leave them more vulnerable to the impacts of Hagupit.

According to JTWC the system is moving west at speed of 11 km/h. JMA reported the system's minimum central pressure of 915 MB and gusts of 280 km/h.

Wind speed WPW and Rapid Scat wind speed maps

MTSAT RGB and RBTOP IR satellite images from December 5, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/MTSAT)

Hagupit rapidly strengthened into a super typhoon late on December 3, and soon after reached maximum sustained winds over 255 km/h (160 mph), the equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.

The system started to weaken after going through some higher wind shear, but Hagupit soon re-strengthened back to a super typhoon. It will slow its forward speed as it approaches and moves through the Philippines from December 6 and into early next week. Due to this slow movement, areas will experience this extreme weather for a long duration, further increasing the damage and impacts of the storm.

MTSAT IR satellite image and MIMIC model from December 5, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)

The current forecast from JMA shows the storm more on a westerly track while JTWC and PAGASA take it slightly west-northwest through southern Luzon and Northern Visayas.

Wind gusts over 240 km/h (150 mph) are expected near landfall in eastern Visayas, in area within 100 miles of where Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall last year. Hundreds of thousands of people still live in vulnerable coastal areas of Tacloban and other areas that were ravaged by Haiyan, which killed or left missing more than 7 350 people. Roughly one million people live in unsafe housing across the areas hit by Haiyan.

TSR, JTWC and JMA forecasts

Hagupit could bring a deadly, destructive storm surge near and just north of where landfall occurs, as it was the case with Haiyan. The coast of Western Samar, Northern Samar, Sorsogon, Albany, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes provinces are the most susceptible at this time.

Severe flooding is expected as it will produce heavy rainfall with 150 – 300 mm (6 – 12 inches) falling across much of Visayas as well as southern and eastern Luzon. Widespread flooding along with a heightened risk for mudslides will be the greatest threat.

Many warnings are in effect throughout the Philippines. Public storm warning signal #2 is in effect in the following provinces: Visayas: Northern and eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, southern Leyte, northern Cebu and Cebu City, Bantayan Island and Camotes Island. In Luzon, signal #2 is in effect for: Albay, Sorsogon, Ticao Island and Masbate.

Public storm warning signal #1 is in effect in the Province of Visayas including: Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Aklan, Negros Oriental & Occidental, rest of Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol. Signal #1 is also in effect in the Mindanao Province for Surigao del Sur, & Norte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur & Norte, Dinagat Island and Camiguin Island; and in the Province of Luzon, including: Catanduanes, Camarines Norte & Sur, Burias Island and Romblon.

Possible forecast track models (Credit: Cyclonae/Leaflet)

Hagupit will weaken again due the land interaction as it moves westward across the Philippines. However, it will may still be a typhoon when it emerges into the South China Sea to the west of the Philippines and continue westward. Another landfall with life-threatening impacts is possible in Vietnam late next week.

Satellite animations

Featured image: VIIRS IR satellite image of Super Typhoon Hagupit from the Suomi satellite at 04:40 UTC December 4, 2014. (Image credit: Dan Lindsey, NOAA/NESDIS/CIRA/Colorado State.)

Share:

Commenting rules and guidelines

We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:

  • Treat others with kindness and respect.
  • Stay on topic and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way.
  • Do not use abusive or hateful language.
  • Do not spam or promote unrelated products or services.
  • Do not post any personal information or content that is illegal, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *