Uwan weakens after hitting Luzon’s mountainous terrain

MANILA, Philippines — Uwan (international name Fung-wong) has weakened into a typhoon as it hits the mountainous terrains of Luzon, including the Sierra Madre range, the state weather bureau said on Monday.

As of 1:00 a.m., Uwan was last spotted in the area of Bagulin, La Union, packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph)  near the center, gustiness of up to 275 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“If you notice, the gustiness is a bit strong as it hits the terrain or the mountains of Northern Luzon,” said Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina in Pagasa’s 2:00 a.m. update.

Pagasa has said that tropical cyclones reach their greatest intensity while over warm tropical water, but they begin to weaken as soon as they move inland.

Badrina said Uwan’s west-northwestward movement is “fast” at 30 kph, adding that its eye could already be outside Luzon’s landmass this Monday morning.

“Possibly, in our next 5:00 a.m. update, Uwan will be in the West Philippine Sea already,” he said.

READ: Super Typhoon Uwan crosses Luzon; Signal No. 5 up in 4 areas

The weather specialist also said that Uwan’s only directly affecting most parts of Luzon.

“This typhoon only covers most parts of Luzon, and we expect a significant reduction of rains in parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” he also said.

Due to the weakening of the former super typhoon, Pagasa lifted the highest Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 in four areas. /jpv