Tropical storm may enter PAR by Saturday or Sunday, to be named ‘Caloy’

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm “Hagupit” may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday, May 7.

Once the tropical cyclone enters PAR, it will be given the local name “Caloy.”

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Hagupit was estimated at 1,995 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, still outside PAR.

The tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph. Strong to gale-force winds extended up to 270 kilometers from the center.

PAGASA said Hagupit was moving westward at 20 kph and is expected to continue moving westward in the next six hours before turning west-northwestward for the rest of the forecast period.

The weather bureau also said the storm may continue intensifying over the next 48 hours and could reach high-end tropical storm category.

However, Hagupit may begin weakening afterward due to unfavorable environmental conditions and could weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday while over the Philippine Sea.

PAGASA said the tropical storm is “less likely to directly affect the weather and sea conditions in the next three days.”