MANILA, Philippines – Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Batanes and the Babuyan Islands on Thursday as Super Typhoon Henry (international name: Hinnamnor) and Tropical Depression Gardo maintained their strength while swirling over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said in its 5:00 a.m. update.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Henry” was spotted some 530 kilometers east – northeast of Itbayat, Batanas, moving southwest at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) and packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

“Super Typhoon Henry will enhance the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ in many parts of Luzon and Western Visayas. Hence, stormy and rainy weather conditions are expected in these areas in the coming days,” Pagasa weather specialist Bennison Estareja said in Filipino.

Estareja added that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be raised by Thursday afternoon.

Rough seas; flash flood, landslide alert!

Pagasa also warned of possible flash floods and and landslides and rough seas perilous to navigation.

“Henry may bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Isabela (1.2 to 4.0 m). These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” said Pagasa.

‘Gardo’

Tropical Depression Gardo, meantime, was last spotted some 885 kilometers east – northeast pf extreme Northern Luzon,moving northwest at 45 kph with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

“Gardo is forecast to track northwestward and will turn westward over the Philippine Sea east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon and is about to merge itself with the larger circulation of Super Typhoon Henry. Thereupon, Gardo will weaken into a Low-Pressure area within 12 hours or sooner,”Pagsaa reported.

Typhoon track

The super typhoon is expected to move closer to Batanes this weekend before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

“Super Typhoon Henry is forecast to continue moving generally southwestward today through tomorrow early morning while decelerating. By tonight or tomorrow early morning, the tropical cyclone may become almost stationary.” Pagasa said.

“By midday of tomorrow, Henry may begin tracking slowly northwestward before eventually accelerating northward by Saturday. On the forecast track, Henry may exit the Philippine area of Responsibility on Saturday evening or Sunday morning,” it added.

Thursday forecast

Pagasa said cloudy skies, thunderstorms and rain showers are expected in most parts of Luzon by mid-day Thursday.

The Visayas and Mindanao will have fairer weather with cloudy skies with possible isolated rain showers.

Rainy weekend in parts of Luzon, W. Visayas as Super Typhoon Henry nears

Forecast temperature range

Metro Manila — 25 to 30 degrees Celsius

Baguio — 16 to 22 degrees Celsius

Laoag — 24 to 32 degrees Celsius

Tuguegarao — 24 to 32 degrees Celsius

Legazpi — 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa — 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay — 22 to 29 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands — 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Iloilo — 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Cebu — 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Tacloban — 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Cagayan de Oro — 24 to 32 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga — 25 to 33 degrees Celsius

Davao — 26 to 34 degrees Celsius