Choi-Wan may intensify into typhoon, unlikely to enter PAR

MANILA, Philippines — The trough of Severe Tropical Storm Choi-Wan, which remains outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), is expected to bring rain showers over parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Friday, according to the state weather bureau.

In its morning weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected over Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Central Visayas and Mindanao due to the cyclone’s trough.

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The rest of the Visayas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, Pagasa said.

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Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will generally have fair weather, although isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may occur due to localized thunderstorms.

Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said Choi-Wan has a low chance of entering the PAR.

As of the latest advisory, the severe tropical storm was located 2,495 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

“Hanggang this weekend, magpapatuloy po ‘yung pagkilos ng Bagyong Choi-Wan pa hilaga, patungo sa may bahagi nga ng Japan,” Badrina said.

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(Until this weekend, Choi-Wan will continue moving north toward parts of Japan.)

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Choi-Wan was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 115 kph. It was moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.

Badrina said Choi-Wan is expected to continue intensifying and could reach typhoon strength. /ja/dp