SUPER TYPHOON SONGDA (CHEDENG) as of 27 May @ 5:30am

As of 5:30 this morning, Super Typhoon CHEDENG accelerates back as it continue to veer away from the Bicol Region. Now moving at 20 kph with wind gusts at 315 kph. (This wind gust is now likened to Super Typhoon REMING in 2006) An 18-km symmetric eye has been noted in a recent animated infrared satellite and microwave imagery. Super Typhoon CHEDENG is about 190 km ENE of Palanan, Isabela. CHEDENG is expected to maintain its strength for the next few hours while moving NW along the Philippine Sea just east of Isabela and Cagayan and towards the East of the Batanes Group of Islands. CHEDENG's rainbands are beginning to leave the Bicol region and is now affecting Isabela and Cagayan. Metro Manila, Bicol, Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao are affected by the strong Southwest Moonsoon currently being enhanced by Super Typhoon CHEDENG.

At 2pm today – 27 May, it shall be 235 km SE of Basco, Batanes with wind gusts still at 315 kph.

On 28 May at 2am, CHEDENG is forecast to be 255 km ENE of Basco, Batanes. Wind gusts drops to 275 kph.

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3-Day SUPER TYPHOON CHEDENG(Songda) Forecast Positions

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AREAS HAVING PUBLIC STORM SIGNAL WARNING

STORM SIGNAL # 2:
Batanes Group

STORM SIGNAL # 1:
Cagayan
Calayan Group
Babuyan Group
Isabela
Quirino
Aurora
Northern Quezon
Polillo Island

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FORECAST ANALYSIS AND EFFECTS:

The system temporarily slowed down during the past hours last night but has now resumed acceleration moving NNW towards the Northern Philippine Sea. No further intensification is expected and CHEDENG shall accelerate further today while hurling hundreds of kilometers away from the shorelines of Cagayan/Isabela and the Batanes Group of Islands. Very strong far-fetched waves are expected to hit the abovementioned shorelines. A northeastern recurvature in the later part of the extended forecast is expected.

Forecast models are still in very good agreement with a NO LANDFALL Scenario for Typhoon SONGDA/CHEDENG but has different outputs in the extended forecasts (30 May and 31 May) with some models bringing CHEDENG over Japan while the other models opted an open water scenario. CHEDENG shall continue to accelerate later in the forecast between 27 to 31 May and eventually lose its strength. Expect rains in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that could trigger flashfloods. Strong to gale force winds (55 kph or higher) are expected becoming stronger in extreme Northern Luzon beginning 27 May.

Expect rough to very rough sea conditions along these areas. FISHING BOATS AND OTHER SMALL SEACRAFTS ARE ADVISED NOT TO VENTURE OUT INTO THE SEA WHILE LARGER SEA VESSELS ARE ALERTED AGAINST BIG WAVES.

Beginning 28 May, low ocean heat content and increased vertical wind shear shall weaken the system rapidly as it tracks out of the PAR and into Okinawa, Japan. Extra tropical transition is also expected by 30 May. CHEDENG shall be out of the country by 28 May or early morning of 29 May. It is expected to recurve to the northeast missing Taiwan as an extra tropical storm system.

In the Bicol region, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, improving weather condition is expected as Super Typhoon CHEDENG continues to move away.

P.S.
CHEDENG(Songda) is a strong and dangerous storm. If this hits land, it would be a deadly catastrophe. The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and precautionary measures.

TRACKING MAP OF SUPER TYPHOON CHEDENG(Songda)

SATELLITE IMAGE as of 27 May @ 5am