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| Mitag's track as forecast by the HK Observatory |
Two cyclones are drawing near, with one prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to raise Signal No. 3 today and another may require Signal No. 9 as it intensifies into a super typhoon northeast of Luzon, two thousand kilometers behind.
The
Observatory said Strong Wind Signal No. 3 will remain in force until 9am tomorrow, as tropical storm Mitag ("my eyes" in Micronesia) edged westerly to the coast of eastern
Guangdong.
“Locally,
strong winds are affecting high ground. Winds will generally strengthen,” as the
storm hits land northeast of Hong Kong within the day and move west, the
Observatory said.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
“The
outer rainbands of Mitag are approaching the Pearl River Estuary gradually and
will bring a few squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong. Showers will
be heavier at times later,” it added.
However,
the land masses are expected to weaken Mitag, so it is uncertain if a higher
signal may be needed as it gets to within 100 kilometers north of Hong Kong.
Of bigger concern is Ragasa (a Filipino word meaning rapid action) which is moving through Northern Pacific Ocean, and may reach super typhoon intensity as it enters the sea between Luzon and Taiwan by Monday.
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| Ragasa's track as forecast by PAGASA |
“Winds
will strengthen again with heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Seas will
be very rough with swells. As the storm surge may be significant then, there
may be flooding over the coastal areas” of Hong Kong, the Observatory said.
In
its forecast for the Philippines, PAGASA said, “the center of Nando (local name for Ragasa) may pass
close or may make landfall over Babuyan Islands between Monday (22 September)
afternoon and Tuesday (23 September) early morning. It may exit the Philippine
Area of Responsibility by Tuesday noon or afternoon.
“Nando will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea. It may reach
typhoon category tomorrow and super typhoon by Monday before its close approach
to Babuyan Islands,” it added.
It it maintains its strength and direction, Ragasa is projected to come within 100 kilometers south of Hong Kong on Wednesday (Sept 24) morning with maximum sustained winds near the center of about 175 kilometers per hour.
The city can anticipate gale-force winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and a significant storm surge, accompanied by rough seas and large waves.
The Observatory’s nine-day forecast indicates that the strong northeast winds will reach force 7 to 8, with offshore and highland areas facing force 10 winds, which more than meet the treshold for imposing Typhoon Signal 8.
T8 is triggered when sustained winds range from 63 to 117 kilometers per hour, compared to Signal 3’s range of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour.
