MANILA, Philippines (November 9) – Satellite images from Japan’s Himawari-8 weather satellite show Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) rapidly intensifying over the Philippine Sea, its massive cloud cover now spanning the entire Luzon landmass and much of the Visayas.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 9, PAGASA said Uwan’s eye was located 320 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 240 kph. The typhoon is moving west-northwest at 15 kph.
The latest Himawari-8 infrared imagery revealed a distinct and compact eye, surrounded by deep convective clouds — a clear indicator of a powerful and organized tropical system. Meteorologists from both PAGASA and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Uwan has reached super typhoon strength as it continues to gain energy from the warm waters of the Philippine Sea.
“Himawari imagery shows a symmetric eye with very cold cloud tops — a sign that Uwan is still intensifying,” said Ariel Roxas, a forecaster with PAGASA’s Weather Division.
Warnings up in northern Luzon
PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals No. 3 and 4 over parts of Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora provinces, warning of violent winds, torrential rain, and life-threatening storm surges. Flooding and landslides are likely in mountainous and low-lying areas.
Uwan is expected to make landfall or graze the northeastern coast of Luzon between Sunday night and early Monday before moving toward the Bashi Channel. Although it may weaken slightly after land interaction, it will continue to enhance the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan), bringing cooler temperatures and intermittent rains across Luzon and parts of the Visayas.
Trough affecting Mindanao
Even areas far from the storm’s core are feeling its effects.
The trough or outer rainbands of Uwan are bringing cloudy skies and scattered thunderstorms to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and parts of the Visayas.
PAGASA advised fisherfolk and operators of small vessels to stay in port. The state weather bureau expects strong winds and rough seas along eastern seaboards.
Satellite perspective
High-resolution Himawari-8 imagery shows Uwan’s dense spiral bands expanding outward, with intense thunderstorm activity near its center. Water-vapor images highlight the storm’s broad reach, drawing moisture from the Pacific while feeding the monsoon circulation.
Meteorologists said the next 12 to 18 hours are crucial, as Uwan could bring extreme weather conditions to northern Luzon before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday.
PAGASA urged the public to monitor updates through official advisories and local disaster offices.
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