#TinoPH exits PAR; potential super typhoon 'Uwan' may enter this weekend

Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) has further intensified as it moves west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea, north of the Kalayaan Islands, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported early Thursday.

According to weather specialist Loriedin De La Cruz-Galicia, the typhoon officially exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 12:30 a.m., but its broad circulation continues to affect the Kalayaan Islands.

“It has completely exited PAR early this morning at 12:30 a.m. However, even though it is now outside the country, because of its wide circulation, a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal remains in effect over the Kalayaan Islands,” Galicia said during PAGASA’s 6 a.m. briefing.

As of 4 a.m., the center of Tino’s eye was estimated 265 kilometers north-northwest of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan—already outside PAR. The typhoon now packs maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 190 km/h, moving west-northwest at 35 km/h.

According to PAGASA, strong to typhoon-force winds extend outward up to 480 kilometers from Tino’s center. Its trough may still bring scattered rain showers over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aurora, and Quezon.

Meanwhile, Batanes may experience cloudy skies with rain showers due to the northeast monsoon (amihan), while Cagayan could see the same conditions due to a shear line.

Fair weather is expected across Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao, although localized thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon or evening.

“As for Typhoon Tino’s track, it continues to move away from the country and is now heading toward Vietnam. It remains under the typhoon category, but due to its large circulation, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still in effect over the Kalayaan Islands,” Galicia added. She noted that the wind signal may be lifted within the day.

PAGASA also lifted all gale warnings across the country’s seaboards.

New threat

While Tino exits, PAGASA is now monitoring another weather system — a tropical storm with the international name Fung-Wong, currently outside PAR.

Fung-Wong is moving northwestward at 20 km/h, with strong to gale-force winds extending outward up to 550 kilometers from its center. The storm is expected to continue northwestward until Friday, before turning west-northwestward over the next few days.

On its current path, Fung-Wong may enter PAR by late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, where it will be given the local name Uwan.

PAGASA warns that the system could rapidly intensify into a typhoon by Friday and possibly reach the super typhoon category by Saturday.

There is an increasing likelihood of landfall over Northern or Central Luzon on Monday, potentially at or near peak intensity.