Severe Tropical Storm Hanna accelerates, may become typhoon in 12 hours

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau said Severe Tropical Storm Hanna (international name: Haikui) is accelerating while moving over the Philippine Sea, adding that it may reach typhoon category within 12 hours.

In its bulletin issued at 5 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Hanna was last seen 1,035 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon.

It has maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 135 kph, and is moving westward at 15 kph.

“Hanna is forecast to gradually intensify until late Saturday (September 2)  or early Sunday (September 3), when it is expected to reach its peak intensity. It may be upgraded into a typhoon within 12 hours while still inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. This tropical cyclone is forecast to remain far from the Philippine landmass,” said Pagasa.

Although expected to remain far from the archipelago, the weather disturbance may still “slightly enhance” the southwest monsoon, locally termed “habagat.”

This cyclone-enhanced monsoon will trigger rain over the western portion of Luzon in the next three days. It will also bring windy conditions over the following areas beginning Thursday, August 31:

• Ilocos Region
• Cordillera Administrative Region
•  Zambales
• Bataan
• Aurora
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• Calabarzon
•  Mimaropa
•  Bicol Region
• Western Visayas
• The northern portion of Eastern Visayas

Pagasa said Hanna is expected to exit the Philippine boundary on Saturday.

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