‘BISING’ ENTERS PAR; INTENSIFIES INTO TYPHOON

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday that “Bising” (international name: Surigae) has strengthened into a typhoon and will likely maintain its intensity in the next days.

While the weather disturbance entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Friday, the weather service said in its 11 a.m. bulletin that Bising was not causing severe weather conditions in any portion of the country.

But Bising’s cloud extensions brought cloudy skies in Eastern Mindanao. The tail end was forecast to bring cloudy skies and scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

“It is likely that the winds and heavy rains associated with this tropical cyclone will begin affecting portions of Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region beginning on Sunday,” the bulletin read.

As of Friday afternoon, Bising was 895 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, and was moving at 15 kilometers per hour. The weather disturbance was packing maximum winds of up to 130 kph and gusts of up to 160 kph.

Pagasa said there was a high pressure ridge hindering the speedy movement of Bising.

Pagasa weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said they were monitoring the ridge of the high pressure area as this would be the main factor that would contribute to the track of Bising.

Based on the predicted track, Bising was less likely to make landfall as it was forecast to move generally west-northwestward. By Saturday afternoon, the typhoon will be 480 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

It is forecast to make a close approach to land mass on Sunday afternoon, when it will be 295 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar.

On Monday, Bising’s track is forecast to recurve and will be 285 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

Ordinario said there was a possible scenario wherein the ridge would weaken, giving the typhoon a chance to accelerate north.