Typhoon Mawar update: First typhoon in Philippines of 2023 prepares to make landfall as super cyclone - The Independent

Typhoon Mawar update: First typhoon in Philippines of 2023 prepares to make landfall as super cyclone | The Independent

Typhoon Mawar – latest: Updates as Philippines braces for 175mph category 5 super cyclone

Typhoon Mawar strengthed to the equivelant of a category 5 hurricane while on path to make landfall in the Philippines

Stuti Mishra,
Ariana Baio Comments

After a rapid intensification, Typhoon Mawar has become the most powerful storm of 2023 globally, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC).

Mawar’s peak winds have surged to 175 mph, accompanied by gusts nearing 210 mph, the JWTC said, as it heads towards the Philippines.

In its latest update, the state weather agency of the Philippines said Mawar has “slightly intensified while moving westwards over the Philippines sea”. This comes after the agency yesterday issued a notification that the cyclone has regained its status of a “super typhoon”.

The typhoon has also surpassed the strength of any storm recorded in 2022, experts say.

Typhoon Mawar’s intensification came after a brief weakening as it passed by Guam on Wednesday, lashing the island with heavy rains and winds that uprooted trees and blew away roofs and cars.

According to the Guam Power Authority, nearly all of the island’s 52,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages, with only 1,000 retaining electricity.

There are no reports of loss of life but extensive damage was reported, alongside localised flooding, fallen debris, and downed power lines.
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Typhoon Mawar becomes 2023′s most intense storm

After rapid intensification, Typhoon Mawar has become the most intense storm of 2023, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC).

Mawar’s peak winds have surged to 175 mph, accompanied by gusts nearing 210 mph, JWTC said.

The typhoon has also surpassed the strength of any storm recorded in 2022 and now stands equivalent to a category 5 super typhoon.

These unprecedented wind speeds have brought the typhoon into the ranks of the five most powerful typhoons ever documented in the month of May.
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CONTEXT: Hurricanes are getting stronger due to the climate crisis

Super Typhoon Marwa is only the ninth storm of its kind since 1950 to reach a Category 5 status in the month of May — just one month into typhoon season.

To understand better how the climate crisis has made hurricanes and typhoons more powerful, read The Independent’s explanation below:

READ MORE:

Hurricanes are getting stronger. Here’s why

Typhoon Mawar could deliver the biggest hit in two decades to Guam, a US territory in the Pacific
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Photos capture the wreckage typhoon Mawar left behind in Guam
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Mawar now called Betty as it enters Philippines monitor region

Super Typhoon Mawar has crossed into the Philippines monitoring reigion, where it is now being referred to as “Betty” by monitors.

The Philippines uses its own names for typhoons that enters its “area of responsibility.”

The storm is a Category 5, but is not expected to make significant landfall in the Philippines at its current strength.
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Mawar 9th typhoon since 1950 to reach Category 5 equivalent status in May

Only eight other typhoons have reached a Category 5 status in May since 1950. Mawar will be the ninth.

Typhoon season typically lasts from April until December. Typhoons gaining a Category 5 equivalent status this early in the season are typically rare.
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WATCH: Detailed imagery showing super typhoon’s direction
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Super Typhoon Mawar may weaken as it approaches Philippines monitoring region

The Maway super typhoon may weaken slightly on its westward approach to the Philipines.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued an advisory noting that the storm would likely enter its monitoring region on Saturday, and predicted that the storm would slow over the course of the day.

The services said the storm will also weaken substantially on Monday.

“MAWAR is forecast to remain as a super typhoon tonight until the weekend, although the chance of slight weakening still remains,” PAGASA wrote. “However, this tropical cyclone may weaken at faster rate beginning on Monday during its slowdown period due to potential unfavorable conditions (e.g., effect of upwelling of cooler ocean water and dry air intrusion), although it is expected to remain as a typhoon by the end of the forecast period.”
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Jim Cantore shares satellite imagery of the enormous Mawar
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Flash floods, surf warnings in effect

A surf warning has been issued for Guam and the Northern Marianas ahead of Typhoon Mawar, according to the National Weather Service. That warning will continue through Saturday, and includes a risk of rip currents.

The agency also said there was the potential for heavy rains and flooding on Friday night in the region.
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Typhoon Odette vs Mawar: Most powerful typhoons to hit the Philippines

The Philippines is considered the most exposed country in the world to tropical storms as approximately 20 cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the area of the ocean the country monitors, yearly.

As the country once again prepares for the onslaught of this powerful cyclone, here are some of the strongest storms that have battered the country in recent times.

From Odette to Mawar: The most powerful typhoons to hit the Philippines

Philippines is considered the most exposed country in the world to tropical storms