Typhoon BETTY (MAWAR) Advisory No. 03

48-hr Outlook: TY BETTY (MAWAR) is forecast to move west-northwest but with a rapid decrease in forward speed from 22 to 05 km/hr. The system will likewise continue losing strength and could become just a strong minimal Typhoon (Category 2) on Tuesday morning (May 30) with forecast 1-min. sustained winds of 175 kph. Tropical Storm Force Winds gusting from 75 to 100 kph will be expected along the eastern sections of Cagayan Valley Region beginning late Monday night. 

The presence of this typhoon will trigger the first enhancement of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and will bring much needed rainfall across the agricultural farmlands of Western Luzon, MiMaRoPa, Visayas, and Mindanao beginning tonight until next weekend. Meanwhile, residents living in hazard-prone areas must take all necessary precautions against floods and landslides along the above-mentioned areas.

• Location of Center/Eye: Along the northern part of the Central Philippine Sea (near 17.2°N 129.2°E)
• Distance 1:  645 km northeast of Pandan, Catanduanes
• Distance 2:  725 km east of Palanan, Isabela
• Distance 3:  760 km east of Santa Ana, Cagayan

• None.

• Northern Luzon – Beginning Tomorrow through Thursday (June 01).

Damaging Winds (gusts of more than 100 km/hr expected):

• None.

• Coastal and Beachfront areas of Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Batanes & Babuyan Island Group.

+Waves of 3 meters in height are expected in storm surge-prone areas, particularly in coastal areas where the Tropical Cyclone is headed. Kindly visit the PAGASA Storm Surge Updates  for more details.

• MONDAY EARLY MORNING: Moving WNW slowly over the southwestern part of the North Philippine Sea…weakens further…about 430 km E of Santa Ana, Cagayan [2AM May 29: 18.6°N 126.2°E @ 205-250 kph].  Forecast Confidence: HIGH
• TUESDAY EARLY MORNING: Weakens further to a high-end Minimal Typhoon (Category 2)…starts to turn very slowly NNW while over the easternmost part of the Balintang Channel…about 270 km ENE of Santa Ana, Cagayan [2AM May 30: 19.6°N 124.4°E @ 175-215 kph].  Forecast Confidence:  MEDIUM
• WEDNESDAY EARLY MORNING: Weakens into a Category 1 Typhoon as it moves northward slowly at 05 kph while over the eastern part of the Bashi Channel…about 190 km E of Basco, Batanes [2AM May 31: 20.3°N 123.8°E @ 150-185 kph].  Forecast Confidence: MEDIUM

**Important Note: Please be reminded that the Forecast Outlook changes every 6 hours, and the Day 2 and 3 Forecast Track have an average error of 100 and 250 km respectively… while the wind speed forecast error, averages 35 km/hr per day. Therefore, a turn to the left or right of its future track and changes in its wind speed must be anticipated from time to time.

• 24-hr. Rain Accumulation (across its circulation):  25 to 480 mm [Light to Extreme]
• Minimum Central Pressure:  935 millibars (hPa)
• Size of Rain Circulation (in Diameter):  Average (905 km)
• Size of Wind Circulation (55-kph Wind Diameter):  Large (1,250 km)
• Area of Damaging Winds (100 kph or more wind gusts):  145 km outward from the center.