Philippines on Alert for Typhoon Noul

By Adam Douty, Meteorologist

May 6,2015; 9:59AM,EDT

 

 

Residents of the Philippines are being put on alert for potential impacts from Typhoon Noul, which will be a powerful typhoon when it approaches the Philippines this weekend.
Before then, Yap will continue to bear the brunt of Noul through Wednesday morning, local time.
Yap was struck by Super Typhoon Maysak at the end of March and early April. Major damage ensued across parts of the island.
Impacts from Noul will not be anywhere near as severe, but rainfall amounts on Yap will range from 200 to 300 mm (8-12 inches). Winds will occasionally gust between 95 and 130 kph (60 and 80 mph).

After passing Yap, further strengthening will cause Noul to become a powerful typhoon as it tracks across the Philippine Sea later this week. Winds could become equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane before Noul makes its closest approach or threatens to make landfall in the Philippines this weekend.
How close Noul tracks to the Philippines will determine the severity of its impacts to the nation.
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Noul is currently crawling to the west, but an eventual turn to the north is expected as it nears the Philippines.
Latest indications point toward Noul tracking close enough to the Philippines to bring rain and wind to northern Luzon. That is especially true in northeastern Luzon, where Noul will make its closest approach or landfall.
Luzon would escape the worst of the typhoon if Noul curves away from the island far enough offshore.
Anyone with interests in the northern Philippines should continue to check back with AccuWeather.com for the latest updates as the future track of Noul is narrowed down.
Confidence is growing that Manila will escape any impacts.

Regardless of the path Noul takes through the Philippine Sea, seas will become extremely dangerous into this week with rough surf building along the eastern beaches of the Philippines.
Based on the current forecast track, the most hazardous and life-threatening conditions for boaters and swimmers will be along the eastern coast of Luzon this weekend. However, residents along the eastern coast of Mindanao will still notice an increase in seas and the rip current threat through Thursday.
AccuWeather.com meteorologists will also keep a close eye on any potential impacts Noul will pose to Taiwan and Japan, especially the Ryukyu Islands, next week.
There are signs that another typhoon will join Noul in the western Pacific this weekend or early next week. While far from etched in stone, early indications point toward residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands needing to monitor this future storm for any impacts.
AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed to the content of this story.