The country’s weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned the Filipino public that the new typhoon threatens to directly hit southern Luzon and parts of the Visayas next week.
PAGASA forecasts that the Tropical Storm “Nona” (international name: Melor) could intensify into a typhoon and make landfall over the Bicol Region or the Samar provinces on Monday or Tuesday.
Bagyong Nona is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility from east of Mindanao early Saturday. Its effects will start to be felt Sunday. The eastern section of southern Luzon and the Visayas will experience moderate to occasionally heavy rains beginning Sunday, as Nonoy barrels towards Eastern Visayas and the Bicol area.
According to the weather bureau, Bagyong Nona is the 14th typhoon to hit the country this year, it was developed out of a low pressure area that formed over Marianas Islands early last week.
As of 10:00 AM today, December 12, 2015, Bagyong Nonoy was spotted at around 1,025 km East of Maasin City, Southern Leyte with a maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. PAGASA forecast that Bagyong Nona will move West Northwest at 17 kph.