Cat 4 Typhoon Chedeng moves away from Bikol

May spare the rest of Luzon as well
Sattelite image of Chedeng's eye east of Catanduanes island as of 3 AM today. Source: typhoon2000.com

Naga City (May 26, 2011 5:00 A.M.) - Typhoon Chedeng might have just spared the country from its wrath as it now moves almost directly northward away from the Bikol region, even as it has been upgraded to a Category 4 typhoon with average center wind of 215 kph and gustiness up to 260 kph.

Chedeng's generally northward direction suggests that it may remain at sea until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday evening.

At 3:00 A.M. today,  Chedeng was located at 14.0º North Latitude 127.1º East Longitude - or 315 km East of Pandan, Catanduanes, 380 km East Northeast of Legazpi City, 420 km East of Naga City or 650 km East Southeast of Metro Manila

All international forecast models of Chedeng's path preclude the typhoon's  landfall in any part of the Philippines.

One remaining cause for worry, however, is a divergent forecast that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) presented last night, predicting that Chedeng might yet make a landfall in the Aurora-Isabela area before veering away northward.

Chedeng is classified as an average-sized tropical cyclone with a diameter of 665 kilometers with Typhoon Force Winds (118 kph or more) extending outward up to 75 kilometers from the center and Tropical Storm Force Winds (62-117 km/hr) extending outward up to 220 kilometers.

This morning Chedeng shall be passing East Northeast of Catanduanes Island about 260 km East of Guigmoto, Catanduanes at an accelerated speed of 17 kph. Tonight, its eye shall shall be located in the sea east of Aurora.

Tomorrow morning, Friday, Chedeng will be at near Super Typhoon strength as it remains at sea 365 km East of Palanan Bay, Isabela. Tomorrow evening, Chedeng may recurve northeastwardly as it passes to the East of the Batanes group of islands, about 245 km East of Calayan Island.

By Saturday night, Chedeng is predicted to be totally out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.