Cyclone Hagupit (Ruby) Intensifies into Typhoon Nears PAR (December 3, Update)

One of the country’s name contribution to international cyclone’s name, Hagupit (Ruby) intensifies into typhoon as it nears the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The typhoon was spotted 1,670 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 4:00 AM on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Cyclone Hagupit threatens the areas in the eastern section of the country, the same place where the most devastating typhoon, Yolanda, brought havoc to residents.

PAGASA noted that the cyclone Hagupit remains outside of PAR but will be named as “Bagyong Ruby” once it enters the Philippines on Thursday, December 4, 2014. Cyclone Hagupit was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gusts of up to 160 kph, and moving west northwest at 30 kph.

The Hawaii-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center of the United States Navy, forecasts that cyclone Hagupit was packing one-minute sustained winds of 157 kph (85 knots) as of 2:00 AM on Wednesday, Manila Time.

The Philippine weather bureau forecasters stated the typhoon will either make landfall in the country or move towards Japan and just graze the eastern section of the country, depending upon the high pressure are, an anti-cyclone system, in the northern hemisphere.

PAGASA noted that, cyclone Hagupit will re-curve towards Japan if the high pressure area in the northern hemisphere weakens but if the high pressure area will gather strength, the cyclone will pushed down to the Philippines and hit the areas previously devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.

Although typhoon Hagupit will not be as strong as super typhoon Yolanda but it will cause heavy damage to the areas that might be affected once it will make a landfall. The JTWC also made a forecasts that cyclone Hagupit could bring as much as 240 kph (130 knots) winds by Saturday, December 6, 2014 at around 2:00 AM, when it is nearer the Philippines.