The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially adopt the new typhoon category, “Super Typhoon” or STY for tropical cyclones that will hit the Philippines. The Super Typhoon category will be given to weather disturbance that register maximum sustained winds of more than 230 kilometers per hour beginning this year 2015.
PAGASA deputy administrator Landrico Dalida, stated the category STY will “give emphasis on the strength of the cyclone and severity of the impact on the community,” PAGASA noted.
Before the official recognition of the “Super Typhoon” category, PAGASA utilized only three official tropical cyclone categories, namely, Tropical Depression (TD), Tropical Storm (TS) and Typhoon (TY).
The country’s weather agency already started educating the public on the cyclone category last year. Aside from adapting the Super Typhoon category, PAGASA also noted the possibility of issuing Storm Signal No. 5 for powerful cyclones.
Right now PAGASA employed Signal No. 1 up to Signal No. 4, based upon the wind speed and its gustiness. According to PAGASA, the occurence of super typhoon Yolanda last November 8, 2013 prompted the agency to review its tropical cyclone classification.
