Daily Inquirer by DJ Yap - 6 November 2013 

US meteorologists see ‘Yolanda’ packing 241-kph winds

SUPERSTORM COMING. Tropical Storm “Haiyan,” which is expected to strengthen in 48 hours into a supertyphoon with peak intensity of 241 kilometers per hour, is forecast to make landfall in the Samar-Leyte area by Friday afternoon. It will be named “Yolanda” when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility. DOST-PAGASA MAP

Tropical Storm “Haiyan” will likely turn into a supertyphoon as it enters the Philippine area of responsibility in the next 48 hours, US meteorologists said on Tuesday.

“Due to very favorable environmental conditions, rapid intensification is forecast over the next 48 hours with a peak intensity of 130 knots (241 kilometers per hour),” said a forecast by the Hawaii-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Weather.com - By Jon Erdman - 5 November 2013

According to the latest forecast from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (shown in the second graphic at right), Haiyan may approach super typhoon status (sustained winds at least 150 mph) before reaching the central Philippines around Friday midday, local time (late Thursday night, U.S. time).

Given this more southern track than past tropical cyclones this season, the Philippine capital of Manila, home to roughly 12 million people in the metro area, is in danger of a direct strike by Haiyan Friday night or early Saturday local time (Friday, U.S. time).

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