Storm KAMMURI Becomes TYPHOON, Entering PAR Around SEA GAMES Opening

Even as the ceremonial opening of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games being held in the Philippines approaches this coming Saturday, wary eyes are scanning the skies, particularly to the east, as a weather disturbance from the Pacific moves ever closer into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). This November already had Luzon weathering Typhoon Ramon (Kalmaegi) two weeks ago, and was spared from its follow-up Typhoon Sarah (Fung-wong). Another tropical depression formed on November 23 that quickly became a severe tropical storm as it approached the country, looking to arrive in the weekend when the SEA Games start. But before that the tropical storm, Kammuri, has already become a typhoon.

Inquirer.net reports that Severe Tropical Storm (SVT) Kammuri has intensified into a Typhoon in a weather update released Thursday, November 28 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The report, released at 11 in the morning, stated that Kammuri was 1,430 kilometers west of the Visayas and closing in on the PAR. Its current direction is via west by northwest, though its movement has slowed to about 10 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h towards the center and around 150 km/h in gustiness.

At their estimates, PAGASA sees Typhoon Kammuri entering the PAR as early as the morning of Saturday, November 30, or around Sunday, December 1. As a reminder, the opening ceremony of the 2019 SEA Games will be on that day. Upon crossing the PAR line the national weather bureau will give Kammuri the name Tisoy, making it the 20^th tropical depression to actually cross Philippine territory. Forecasts of possible landfall in the country would have it striking anywhere in the area of the Bicol Region or the province of Quezon. No venues for SEA Games are located in those areas.

Image: Joint Typhoon Warning Center