TROPICAL Storm “Butchoy” [international name: Nepartak] intensified into a typhoon on Tuesday as it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility around 2 p.m., according to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Pagasa said Butchoy, packing sustained winds of 140 kph near the center, was located 1,325 kms east of Casiguran, Aurora and moving northwest at 30 kph.
The movement track the weather bureau released at 4 p.m. predicted that the typhoon will not make landfall in Philippine territory but has begun to enhance the southwest monsoon which is already affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas. It may stay with the PAR until Friday.
By Wednesday morning, it is expected to be 1,010 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. On Thursday morning, it is expected to be around 495 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.
By Friday morning, Butchoy is forecast to be 435 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanesa and outside the PAR by Saturday.
Pagasa predicted cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in the Visayas and the regions of Bicol, Mimaropa, Davao and Caraga while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon.
The coastal waters along this areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to south with slight to moderate seas.