Super Typhoon Surigae, as it was named by the JTWC, has strengthened and is looming over the Philippines. Typhoon Bising, as it is known locally, is currently just over 200km east of the Samar Island, the easternmost Island in the Philippines. 

Image: Satellite Imagery (Himawarri-8) at 12:30pm EST Sunday showing cloud associated with Super Typhoon Surigae near the Philippines

Surigae’s movement is northwest at a speed of just under 20 km/h. The typhoon is forecast to track in a banana-like shape, first moving close to Luzon, the northernmost Island in the Philippines, then moving northeast out into the Philippine Sea by Friday. While the current forecast does not take Surigae over land, it should be close enough to cause some devastating effects. 

In 24 hours, Surigae rapidly intensified from a Category 1 system to a Category 5 with sustained winds of over 305 km/h and gusts around 370km/h. Thankfully, winds of this magnitude aren't likely to be experienced over land. However, over the course of Surigae’s path, locations in the Philippines are likely to see up to 200mm of rain and winds in excess of 100km/h. This is enough to cause significant property damage and flooding. In addition, dangerously high surf should also affect marine operations. 

Surigae’s rapid intensification to Category 5 meant it became the first tropical cyclone to reach this classification in 2021. 

Earlier in the week, Surigae was expected to track further off the coast of the Philippines, but the latest models have taken it further west, a reminder of the importance of keeping an eye on the latest weather updates.