UPDATED. TYPHOON Odette (international name Rai) is rapidly intensifying and may develop into a “Super Typhoon” as it continues to undergo rapid intensification before making landfall in Dinagat Island early afternoon of Thursday, December 16, 2021.
The weather forecast from the US Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command already classified Odette as a super typhoon based on 1-minute average measurements of sustained winds. Pagasa based their readings on a 10-minute average measurements of sustained winds.
Pagasa Visayas Weather Services Chief Alfredo Quiblat Jr. told SunStar Cebu through a text message that there is a low chance, but they are not completely ruling out the possibility of Typhoon Odette reaching the super typhoon category.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 4 has been raised in Southern Leyte, and the eastern portion Bohol (Talibon, Trinidad, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Jagna, Garcia Hernandez, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Mabini, Ubay, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bien Unido).
Several international news outlets reported Thursday morning, December 16, that Odette would make landfall as a super typhoon.
According to Pagasa, a super typhoon has a maximum wind speed exceeding 220 kilometers per hour and, based on the 8:00 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Odette has maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kilometers per hour.
Quiblat said that weather forecasts may vary since Pagasa is using a wind speed computation that is different from other international prediction centers.
He added that Typhoon Odette will bring heavy torrential rain with an expected 24-hour total amount of rainfall measuring 150 millimeters. This is equivalent to the average amount of rainfall for the whole month of December.
Quiblat also warned those living in coastal areas to be on the alert for a storm surge that may reach a height of three meters.
