Super Typhoon Bavi is projected to cross into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Tuesday evening, July 7, and early Wednesday morning, July 8, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.
As of 2:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, the massive storm was tracked 2,355 kilometers east of Southern Luzon, outside the PAR boundaries.
It currently packs maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching up to 265 kph while advancing west-northwest at a speed of 15 km/h.
In an radio interview, PAGASA weather specialist Chenel Dominguez noted:
“Possible itong pumasok ng PAR tomorrow evening o Wednesday ng madaling araw.”
Upon entering local waters, the weather bureau will officially name the cyclone “Inday.”
While Bavi boasts immense power, Dominguez indicated that it is unlikely to make landfall directly on Philippine soil. Current forecast tracks suggest it could skim close to Batanes, though meteorologists are still weighing the possibility of a landfall in Taiwan.
Even without hitting land, the super typhoon will impact local weather. PAGASA may hoist tropical cyclone wind signals over sections of Northern Luzon as early as Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
Rough sea conditions could also prompt a gale warning along the country’s eastern coastlines.
Furthermore, the weather bureau warned that Bavi will likely trigger and intensify the southwest monsoon (habagat). This interaction is expected to unleash widespread rainfall across the western regions of the Philippines, despite the eye of the storm staying far out at sea.
For Monday, July 6, the rest of the archipelago can expect generally fair but hot and humid weather, particularly during the midday hours.
However, sudden afternoon or evening localized thunderstorms and isolated rain showers remain a distinct possibility.