Weather: 'Mina' now a typhoon, threatens north Luzon

Tropical cyclone Mina (Nanmadol) has intensified into a typhoon before noon Thursday and is now threatening north Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said three provinces - Northern Aurora, Isabela and Cagayan - remained under Storm Signal No. 1. "'Mina' has intensified into a typhoon and now threatens northern Luzon," it said. PAGASA said Mina was estimated at 310 km east of Casiguran, Aurora as of 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, and was moving west northwest at 7 kph. PAGASA said Mina is expected to be 220 km northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Friday morning, and 260 km north northeast of Tuguegarao City or at 100 km southeast of Basco, Batanes by Saturday morning. By Sunday morning, it is expected to be 200 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes. PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal 1 to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. An estimated 15 to 25 mm per hour of rainfall is forecast within the 500-km diameter of the typhoon. Classification of cyclones PAGASA's classification of tropical cyclones are as follows:

• A tropical depression has a maximum wind speed of up to 63 kph.
• A tropical storm has a maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kph.
• A typhoon has a maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kph.