MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that tropical storm “Nando” slightly intensified while moving west northwestward. In an early morning video briefing on Friday, Pagasa forecaster Loriedin de la Cruz said the storm’s center was located 1,075 kilometers east of Central Luzon.
It is moving west northwestward at 15 km per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.Pagasa said Nando could enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” as it approaches landmass, raising the possibility of Signal No. 1 over Northern Luzon as early as Saturday.”Wind Signal No. 1 will be hoisted as early as [Saturday], and the highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 5 considering that this tropical cyclone has a possibility to reach super typhoon category,” the weather bureau said.It is also said that Nando could make landfall over the Babuyan Islands on Monday.”Nando is forecast to continue moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea in the next 24 hours. It may move in a loop pattern today before turning northwestward to west northwestward from [Friday] until Monday early morning,” it said.”Afterwards, it is forecast to move generally westward while approaching Extreme Northern Luzon. On the forecast track, the center of Nando may pass close or may make landfall over Babuyan Islands from Monday (Sept. 22) evening until Tuesday (Sept. 23) morning. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday afternoon or evening,” it added.The weather bureau also said that the storm would continue to intensify over the Philippine Sea and could reach typhoon status by Saturday.As of posting time, no storm signals have been raised.
