Pepito (Man-Yi) reached typhoon strength following “rapid intensification,” while Ofel (Usagi) weakened into a severe tropical storm on Friday morning, PAGASA reported.

Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) will continue to undergo rapid intensification until Saturday, November 16, and could strengthen into a super typhoon

Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) continues to “rapidly intensify”, which prompted the state weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) over more parts of the country Friday afternoon.

Ofel was last located 205 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north-northwestward at 15 kph. The cyclone is also carrying maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and gusts of up to 125 kph.

Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi) further intensified and was nearing typhoon status early Friday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical

The state weather bureau said that Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi) had further intensified and was nearing typhoon status early Friday morning. Pepito “is forecast to intensify into a typhoon within the next 12 hours” and gain more strength to become a super typhoon by Saturday evening,

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday, Nov. 14 that Severe Tropical Storm “Pepito” (international name: Man-yi) could intensify into a super typhoon before making landfall over Central Luzon this weekend.