Tropical Storm Haiyan to threaten Philippines as a strong typhoon this week

The Weather Channel: While the Atlantic hurricane season may have taken its last breath, that is certainly not the case in the western Pacific Ocean. Tropical Storm Haiyan, roughly 500 miles south-southeast of Guam, is gathering strength in a favorable environment of light winds aloft and warm sea-surface temperatures.

Haiyan's forecast west-northwest track will keep it well south of Guam, however, it will also put it on a collision course with the Philippines later this week.

According to the latest forecast from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (shown in the second graphic at right), Haiyan may approach super typhoon status (sustained winds at least 150 mph) before reaching the central Philippines Friday morning, local time (Thursday evening, U.S. time).

Given this more southern track than past tropical cyclones this season, the Philippine capital of Manila, home to roughly 12 million people in the metro area, is in danger of a direct strike by Haiyan Friday night or Saturday local time (Friday, U.S. time).

Furthermore, another tropical cyclone has already soaked parts of the central Philippines. Therefore, any additional rain from Haiyan will fall over saturated ground in the central Philippines, raising the threat of flooding and mudslides....

From October, 2009, Filipino citizens stand in line for family food packs donated by local businesses and private organizations to aid communities affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Marie Matarlo/Released)