MANILA – The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and easterlies will bring rain showers and thunderstorms to parts of the country on Sunday, while Super Typhoon Champi is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early this week, the weather bureau said.
In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are forecast over the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Palawan due to the ITCZ.
The ITCZ will also bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Soccsksargen and the rest of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Quezon and Camarines Norte will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to easterlies, while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA warned that moderate to at times heavy rains could trigger flash floods or landslides, while severe thunderstorms may cause similar hazards in other areas.
Champi intensifies
Champi has intensified into a super typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 230 kph as of 4 a.m.
PAGASA located the cyclone 2,230 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, outside PAR. It was moving west northwestward at 25 kph, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending up to 480 kilometers from its center.
Champi is forecast to enter PAR on Tuesday (Oct. 20) morning or afternoon and will be given the local name Rosal. It is expected to maintain super typhoon strength upon entry before gradually weakening starting Wednesday as it moves toward Taiwan.
PAGASA said wind signals may be raised over parts of Northern Luzon and the Bicol Region as early as Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Signal No. 3 or 4 is the highest possible under the current forecast scenario.
