Typhoon “Maria” could enter the Philippine area of responsibility today, Monday, but is not likely to make landfall in any part of the country, the weather bureau said Sunday.
“Landfall in any part of the country remains less likely,” but Maria may enhance the southwest monsoon to bring rain over the Mimaropa region and Panay Island until Tuesday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Occasional rain is forecast over Metro Manila, the rest of Western Visayas and the western sections of Calabarzon and Central Luzon.
Maria will be renamed “Gardo” once it enters PAR, Pagasa said.
Maria maintained its strength while moving northwest on Sunday. Its center was located 1,820 kilometers east of Northern Luzon or outside PAR.
Maria was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center with gustiness of up to 225 kph. It was moving northwest at 15 kph.