PAGASA said tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 may be raised in provinces in Northern Luzon due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Inday.

PAGASA also said the public should not be complacent even if there is no rain, despite the raising of wind signals in some parts of the country.

Typhoon Inday was already a super typhoon when it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early this morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) expects Super Typhoon Inday to weaken but remain strong.

As of this writing, PAGASA said tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 is already in effect in some parts of Northern Luzon, including Batanes and Cagayan Valley.

Based on the agency's forecast, the stronger effects of the typhoon may be felt as it nears the country's landmass by Friday or the weekend.

The highest signal that may be raised in provinces in Northern Luzon could reach tropical cyclone wind signal no. 3, PAGASA said.

PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility of raising wind signal number 2 or 3, depending on how far westward the storm's track shifts within its area of probability, according to assistant weather services chief Chris Perez.

"Kung inyo pong naiisip ano nga ba yung posibleng highest wind signal na itataas, were not ruling out the possibility 2 or 3 kung magkakaroon ng more to the westward na movement within the area of probability."

(If you're wondering what the possible highest wind signal to be raised is, we're not ruling out the possibility of 2 or 3 if there is more westward movement within the area of probability.)

In relation to this, PAGASA again clarified that wind signals do not mean the typhoon will directly hit an area, but rather serve as an early warning for the public to prepare.

This is why, according to PAGASA, it should not be surprising if a wind signal is in effect in an area even if there is no rain there.

"Sana po huwag magtaka yung ating mga kababayan natin na sasabihin nila naka-signal no. 1 tayo generally good weather sa kanilang lugar. Paunang abiso po ito sa paparating na hazard o malakas na hangin na pupwede n'yong maranasan in 36 hours or less."

(We hope our fellow countrymen will not be surprised if they are under signal no. 1 while the weather in their area is generally good. This is an advance notice of an incoming hazard or strong winds that you may experience in 36 hours or less.)

If the typhoon maintains its current track, the agency does not yet see it making landfall in any part of the country.

PAGASA said this cannot be compared to the strength experienced by countries and areas it directly passed through, such as the Mariana Islands, Saipan, and Guam.

"Yung sentro malayo po, hindi inaasahang magla-landfall, and then possibly ang tatama dito sa may bandang hilagang Luzon yung pinaka-outermost rainband, outermost periphery ng bagyo."

(The center is far, it is not expected to make landfall, and then possibly what will hit the northern Luzon area is the outermost rainband, the outermost periphery of the typhoon.)

Meanwhile, PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis confirmed that Super Typhoon Inday and its pull on the southwest monsoon (habagat) are already effects of the super El Niño.

She said that because of the super El Niño, typhoons are becoming stronger and the movement of the habagat is being further enhanced.

"So ito na po yung mga sinasabi natin na mga potential impact nitong very strong el nino na paparating."
(So these are what we've been saying are the potential impacts of this very strong El Niño that is coming.)

This July, four typhoons may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The state weather bureau advised the public to always monitor the weather and evacuate immediately if there are signs of flooding or landslide threats.

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