Hagupit Weakening As It Moves Across the Philippines

Hagupit has weakened below typhoon intensity and it is now a tropical storm.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Hagupit was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 112.7°E which put it near Catanauan, Philippines and about 140 miles southeast of Manila.  Hagupit was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 85 m.p.h.

Interaction of the circulation with land and moderate vertical wind shear have gradually reduced the intensity of Hagupit and the weakening trend should continue on Monday.  Once Hagupit moves west of the Philippines, it will move into an area of stronger northeasterly winds in the lower levels and cooler, drier air.  As a result the rate of weakening could increase.

There are indications that Hagupit could begin to move toward the southwest when it encounters the stronger northeasterly flow.  A much weaker Hagupit or its remnants could reach southern Vietnam in a few days.