Rain for Luzon as ‘Igme’ makes U-turn to Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines – With typhoon Igme (Tembin) expected to re-enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on its way back to Taiwan, rain is in the forecast for western areas of Luzon due to the southwest monsoon.

As of 2 am Monday, August 27, Igme was spotted 420 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 160 km/h.

The typhoon is forecast to move east southeast at 7 km/h, the PAGASA said in its 24-hour forecast released 5 am Monday.

The storm appeared to be headed back towards Taiwan, particularly the southern Pingtung county, where the storm brought flooding on Friday, August 24.

This means it will also re-enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), which also includes most of Taiwan. The Philippine state weather bureau PAGASA said it expects re-entry within 24 to 48 hours from 1 pm Sunday.

Although the typhoon was still hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the island, the bureau predicted downpours in the south and southeast and called on people there to take precautions.

On its current track, Tembin was forecast to make landfall again in Pingtung and move northward off the east coast.

The storm’s unusual movement was largely affected by Typhoon Bolaven (Philippine codename Julian), which hit the Okinawa area.

Monday’s weather

Because of its effect on the monsoon, north Luzon and western areas of Central Luzon will have occasional to frequent rain. Western areas of southern Luzon, meanwhile, will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain or thunderstorms.

Rain is expected in Laoag, Baguio, Olongapo, and Angeles cities, while occasional rain is in the forecast for Tuguegarao City.

Metro Manila and Tagaytay will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong wind from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas, causing moderate to rough seas.

The rest of the country will experience light to moderate winds from the south to southwest, with slight to moderate seas. – Rappler.com, with a report from the Agence France-Presse