Super Typhoon Henry (Hinnamnor) could merge with Tropical Depression Gardo off the northeastern Philippines, as the twin storms are forecast to drift away from the country on their way to southern Japan, PAGASA said Thursday.
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It's a rare weather phenomenon called the Fujiwhara Effect when two typhoons, hurricanes or cyclones move so close to each other they either combine or influence each other's movement.
Henry, which packs maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and 230 kph gusts, is stronger than Gardo, which has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and 70 kph gusts. The two are unlikely to make landfall, PAGASA said.
Gardo is seen to weaken into a low pressure area later on Thursday, before Henry absorbs it into its circulation and enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, said PAGASA.
It is also possible for Henry to slightly weaken into a typhoon on Friday until it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
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Henry was spotted at 530 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes at 4 a.m., while Gardo was located 1,040 east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon.
Stormy weather due to the twin storms is possible in Batanes and Babuyan Islands within 24 hours and signal no. 1 can be raised as early as Thursday afternoon in these areas. Signal no. 2 is also likely to be hoisted as Henry moves closer to land.
Scattered rainshowers with possible thunderstorms are expected in Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Batanes, and Cagayan region, while rains are also likely in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Mimaropa.
Western Visayas, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro region will have cloudy skies with possible rains in the next 24 hours, said PAGASA.
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