Typhoon Obet, internationally known as Saudel (Manila Bulletin), entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday afternoon at 1:40 p.m.. As of 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., the center of the typhoon was located approximately 1,350 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon (Manila Bulletin, DZRH).
Typhoon Obet Enters PAR and Prepares to Exit Quickly
The system packs maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness reaching up to 205 kph (Manila Bulletin). Moving west-northwestward at 30 kph, typhoon-force winds extend up to 540 kilometers from its center. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Obet is expected to slightly intensify while inside the PAR (Manila Bulletin, DZRH) but will not reach super typhoon strength (Manila Bulletin).
Because the typhoon remains far from the Philippine landmass and has no direct effect on the country (Manila Bulletin), PAGASA reported that no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is currently raised over any part of the country. PAGASA expects Obet to exit the PAR swiftly within 12 hours (Manila Bulletin, DZRH).
Southwest Monsoon Enhanced Despite Quick Exit
Even though Obet is leaving the PAR rapidly, PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda stated that the typhoon will enhance the southwest monsoon, or habagat,
in the coming days (Manila Bulletin). So yung habagat ang ineexpect natin na magdudulot ng mga pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi muli ng Luzon sa mga susunod na araw,
Castañeda explained (Manila Bulletin).
While the monsoon is currently not as strong as it was in previous days (Manila Bulletin), it continues to bring cloudy skies and scattered rains to Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal (Manila Bulletin). PAGASA advised the public that thunderstorms are possible, particularly during the afternoon and evening (Manila Bulletin).
Additionally, the enhanced habagat will continue to generate strong to gale-force wind gusts over large parts of the country. For Tuesday and Wednesday, these gusts are anticipated across most of Luzon and the Visayas, alongside specific areas in Mindanao such as Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
Monitored Weather Systems and Marine Advisories
PAGASA is tracking additional weather systems outside the PAR that influence regional conditions (Manila Bulletin). Tropical Depression Gaenari, previously called Neneng,
was located 505 kilometers north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, and continues to steer the monsoon rains over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon (Manila Bulletin). Another system, Tropical Storm Atsani, was located 1,765 kilometers east of Central Luzon and is moving away from the PAR, with potential scenarios including weakening into a trough of Obet or following a similar track to enter the PAR around Wednesday, August 26 (Manila Bulletin).
Marine conditions are also affected. PAGASA warned of rough seas, with waves reaching up to 3.5 meters along the seaboards of Batanes and the northern Babuyan Islands, and waves up to 3 meters along the western Babuyan Islands, northern Ilocos Norte, and the western Kalayaan Islands. Mariners, especially those operating motorbancas and similarly sized vessels, have been advised to take safety precautions and avoid sailing when possible.
