Typhoon Nockten Expected to Strengthen as it Approaches the eastern Philippines! (credit: CIMSS)

DISCUSSION: Over the next 24 to 48 hours Typhoon Nockten is expected to make its final approach towards the eastern Philippines.  However, as this tropical cyclone continues heading on this westward track towards the eastern Philippines, there is high confidence in the expectation for this tropical cyclone to strengthen prior to its initial landfall in the far eastern Philippines later in the day on Christmas Day (i.e., local time which is GMT + 8 hours).  As a consequence of this anticipated period of intensification (possibly rapid intensification), there are expected to be significant (and possibly severe) impacts particularly along coastal sections of the eastern/central Philippines.  For this reason, if you have family, friends, or colleagues currently positioned across  various parts of the eastern-to-central Philippines, it would be best to advise them to seek shelter at higher ground with sufficient infrastructural design.  Due to the rate of forward motion coupled with the Category 3/4 equivalent wind speeds associated with the circulation of Nockten, there is high likelihood of a significant storm surge to impact many coastal areas along with strong onshore flow and heavy rainfall linked to the landfall of the outer and inner circulation sections of Typhoon Nockten.

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©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz