FACT CHECK: No super typhoon in PH up until October 24

Claim: Signal No. 3 is now raised over the Philippines due to Super Typhoon Kabayan.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A YouTube channel named Balitang Pinas with 554,000 subscribers posted the video on October 24. The video currently has 6,293 views and 215 likes. 

The video’s title bears the claim: “Signal number 3 na! Bagyong “Kabayan” super typhoon agad. Latest weather update! Oct 24, 2023.” 

(It’s already Signal number 3! Tropical cyclone “Kabayan” is now a super typhoon. Latest weather update! October 24, 2023.)

The facts: There are currently no tropical cyclones or super typhoons inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the latest weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, October 24.

Super Typhoon Goring (Saola), which entered the country in August 2023, was the Philippines’ most recent super typhoon. Meanwhile, the last tropical cyclone to enter the PAR was Tropical Cyclone Jenny (Koinu), which exited on October 5. 

Actual weather report: According to PAGASA’s 4 pm forecast, the northeast monsoon and the shear line are currently affecting certain parts of the country.

The shear line brings cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms to Metro Manila, Isabela, Aurora, Calabarzon, and Camarines Norte. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon, including Batanes, Cagayan, Apayao, the Ilocos region, and the rest of the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley areas. 

The rest of the country may see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. 

Debunked: While the YouTube channel that posted the misleading video has a verified badge, this does not necessarily mean that it provides genuine information.

According to YouTube, a verified channel is the “official channel of a creator, artist, company, or public figure.” The eligibility guidelines do not mention checking the authenticity of a channel’s content.

Rappler has debunked false claims from the same channel purporting to provide weather news and updates:

• FACT CHECK: Signal No. 2 is the highest wind signal for Typhoon Jenny as of 5 pm, October 3
• FACT CHECK: Lumabas na ang bagyong Ineng noong Setyembre 6 
• FACT CHECK: Di totoong may 2 bagyong tatama sa Pilipinas ngayong Setyembre 11
• FACT CHECK: Hindi super typhoon ang bagyong Hanna, walang Signal No. 5
  

Official news: For official weather updates, refer to PAGASA’s official website, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube accounts. Get updates too via Rappler’s Philippine weather page. – Ailla dela Cruz/ Rappler.com

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