(Eagle News) — “Nina” has intensified into a typhoon overnight as it continued its path in a west northwest direction, according to the country’s weather bureau, PAGASA.
Forecasters said Nina (international name Nock-Ten) is “expected to intensify further before making landfall.”
“It is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes by Sunday (Dec. 25) afternoon or evening,” according to PAGASA’s severe weather bulletin no. 6 issued at 11 a.m.
Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within its 400 km diameter of the typhoon, it said.
Typhoon Nina slightly slowed down as it continued its west northwest direction.
At 10:00 AM today. Saturday, December 24, the eye of Typhoon “NINA” was located based on all available data at 480 km East of Virac, Catanduanes (13.0°N, 128.6°E).
Its maximum sustained winds is up to 150 kph near the center while its gustiness is up to 185 kph.
Tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 is already raised in Southern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island in Luzon; and in Northern Samar, Samar and Eastern Samar in the Visayas.
Nina’s movement is forecast at 15 kph west northwest.
“Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas,” PAGASA warned.
By Sunday morning, it is forecast to be 140 km Northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar(13.4°N, 125.5°E), and by Monday morning, it will be in the vicinity of Gumaca, Quezon(13.9°N, 122.2°E).
By Tuesday morning, it is expected to be 200 kilometers west southwest of Iba, Zambales(14.8°N, 118.2°E) and by Wednesday morning, it will be 310 km North Northeast of Pagasa Island, Palawan.
By Thursday morning, It is forecast to already be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.