Tropical Storm Bebinca, initially a tropical depression, has intensified while nearing Guam, United States territory, on Tuesday evening, September 10.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Bebinca was located 2,105 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 10 pm on Tuesday. Moving northeast at 20 kilometers per hour, it now has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour with gusts reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour.
Forecasts from PAGASA indicate that Bebinca may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening, September 13. Upon entry, it is expected to be designated with the local name ‘Ferdie.’ The storm may escalate to a severe tropical storm by Friday morning and has the potential to develop into a typhoon while still over the Pacific Ocean.
While Bebinca’s entry into PAR is projected to be brief, it is not anticipated to make landfall or directly affect any part of the Philippines. However, the storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, leading to occasional rains in the Visayas and Palawan, along with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Bicol, the rest of Mimaropa, and Mindanao starting Thursday, September 12. The rainfall forecast linked to the southwest monsoon remains subject to change based on Bebinca’s trajectory and intensity.
Earlier, PAGASA reported that much of the Philippines would experience generally fair weather on Wednesday, aside from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Bebinca’s development underscores the dynamic nature of weather patterns and the importance of monitoring such disturbances closely.
As Bebinca progresses, continual updates from meteorological authorities will be crucial. Its potential to influence local weather systems highlights the necessity for preparedness and vigilance.
Source: Rappler