Storm Goni now a typhoon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Goni intensified into a typhoon as it continued to approach the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday, the state weather bureau said.

The weather disturbance, however, is not expected to directly affect any part of the country in the next three days, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The eye of Goni was spotted at 1,945 kilometers east of Luzon as of 4 p.m. yesterday, packing winds of 170 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

It was forecast to move west northwest at 20 kph. 

PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz said Goni was projected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this afternoon and would be locally named Ineng.

In an interview, Loiz said if Goni maintains its westward track, it would likely hit Batanes islands.

The typhoon was also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, dumping rains in most parts of the country, particularly in the western section, later this week.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said another typhoon with international name Atsani has a slim chance of entering the country.

Atsani was last located 4,055 kilometers east of southern Luzon, it said.

Loiz said the intertropical convergence zone would continue to bring light to moderate rains over the Visayas, as well as Zamboanga peninsula and Caraga regions until today.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms would still prevail over the rest of the country, including Metro Manila, he added.