Super typhoon Mangkhut approaching Philippines and Hong Kong

[Gert van der Hoek]

September 11, 2018

MANILA, Philippines ? A low-pressure area over Batanes intensified into a tropical depression yesterday even as a potential super typhoon continued to move toward the northern portion of the country.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Mangkhut, which will be given the local name Ompong, continued to intensify over the Pacific and is expected to enter the country tomorrow afternoon.

Senior weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Mangkhut is likely to make landfall over the Cagayan-Batanes area.

He said the southwest monsoon, which will be enhanced by Mangkhut, would bring rains over Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao beginning tomorrow.

Heavy rains and strong winds from Mangkhut will be felt in Northern and parts of Central Luzon beginning Thursday, he said.

[Gert van der Hoek]

sept 12, 2018

Super Typhoon Intensifies in Pacific and Heads Toward Hong Kong

A super typhoon in the Pacific is gaining even more strength and is forecast to barrel through the Philippines and Taiwan this week before heading to Hong Kong and south China.

Mangkhut, classified by the Hong Kong Observatory as a super typhoon, is now forecast to pack maximum winds of 260 kilometers (162 miles) per hour by Friday before gradually weakening. That compares with a reading of 250 kilometers per hour earlier on Wednesday.

The typhoon, expected to be closer to south China by the weekend, will bring heavy rains and storm surges on its trail. It can affect as many as 54.2 million people, according to the United Nation?s Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.



Hong Kong Observatory

[Gert van der Hoek]

Typhoon Mangkhut: Millions in path of 'monster' storm

sept 14, 2018

Super Typhoon Mangkhut has gathered strength as it barrels towards the Philippines, weather officials say.
The storm is now packing winds of 255 km/h (160 mph) and officials say more than five million people are directly in its path.

Last-minute preparations are under way before it makes landfall on the northern tip of the main island of Luzon by Saturday.
Flights have been cancelled, schools shut and the army is on standby.

Officials have said that the storm, which is 900km in diameter, will be powerful enough to remain a "considerable threat" even if it slows down before making landfall.