'Butchoy' now a super-typhoon, moves away from PH

MTSAT ENHANCED IR Satellite Image for 11:32 p.m., 17 June 2012 showing the location of typhoon Butchoy (international codename Guchol) (near center). Image courtesy of PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Tropical cyclone Butchoy (international codename Guchol) has been classified a “super-typhoon” as it packs winds of over 150 mph moving northwest and away from northern Philippines.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Butchoy was spotted 460 km East of Basco, Batanes as of 10 p.m. Sunday, June 17, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JWTC), in its 5 p.m. advisory, gave the cyclone the highest classification for tropical cyclones in western Pacific.

‘Butchoy’ is currently moving north northwest at 22 kph, too far to cause a storm signal in the Philippines.

However, it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains is estimated to be between 15-25 mm per hour within the typhoon’s 500 km diameter. It may also trigger flash floods and landslides.

“Butchoy” is expected to be 670 km northeast of Basco, Batanes by Monday evening, June 18. By Tuesday morning, the super-typhoon is expected move further away from the Philippines, at 920 km northeast of Basco.

PAGASA Track for Typhoon Butchoy as of 8 a.m., 17 June 2012. Image courtesy of PAGASA.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy or cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, Pagasa added.

The state weather bureau is still advising fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture into the Luzon, Visayas, and eastern Mindanao seaboards. This is due to the big waves expected from the combined effects of Butchoy, PAGASA said.