Claim: A tropical cyclone named Gardo, classified as a super typhoon with a strength double that of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana), has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to a YouTube video posted on August 16, 2022.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The post containing the claim has over 20,000 views on YouTube, as of writing.

No storms in PAR: As of 4 pm on August 16, when the video was first posted, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there are no tropical cyclones inside PAR.

• The southwest monsoon was causing rain showers in parts of the Philippines, PAGASA said on August 16, 2022.
• Also, there are no storms expected to enter PAR within a three-day timeframe, according to PAGASA’s three-day outlook posted on August 16, 2022.

Yolanda and Ondoy’s strength: PAGASA put Yolanda’s maximum sustained winds at 235 kilometers per hour, following the 10-minute average reading according to World Meteorological Organization standards. The United States’ Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which uses a 1-minute average reading, said Yolanda had maximum sustained winds of 315 km/h. Both local and foreign agencies classify Yolanda as one of the world’s strongest tropical cyclones based on wind strength.

According to PAGASA, the amount of accumulated rainfall measured in a span of 24 hours during Ondoy was 455 millimeters.

For credible weather updates, visit PAGASA’s official website. The agency also has a Facebook page and a Twitter account where it posts daily forecasts, thunderstorm advisories, flood warnings, and other weather updates.

– Lorenz Pasion/Rappler.com

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