Typhoon delayed, changes direction

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 5 a.m., 21 October 2013

MANILA, Philippines—The typhoon with the international name “Francisco” is expected to defer for a day its passage through the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as it slightly changed direction while hovering far east of northern Luzon.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasters said generally good weather was anticipated to continue over Metro Manila, as well as in northern and Central Luzon.

Forecaster Buddy Javier said the typhoon, which will be named “Urduja,” may enter the PAR Tuesday morning as it changed direction on Sunday afternoon from northwest to north.

On its previous northwestern track, the typhoon was initially forecast to enter the PAR Monday morning. “Based on our analysis on its change of direction, it might pass through the northeasternmost part of the PAR on Tuesday,” the forecaster said, adding that it was expected to follow the path of Typhoon “Tino,” which only grazed the PAR on its way to Japan.—Jeannette I. Andrade