Live Science Plus
Haiyan-Ravaged Philippines Face Another Tropical Threat
This article was provided by AccuWeather.com.
In the wake of once-Super Typhoon Haiyan, another tropical disturbance will impact the same areas left devastated across the Philippines by Haiyan Tuesday through Wednesday.
The death toll across the Philippines from Haiyan (local name Yolanda) could rise to 10,000, as reported by the Associated Press.
Even a causal passing shower or thunderstorm would dampen and hinder the recovery. But the danger of another tropical threat with heavy rains looms through midweek.
A tropical disturbance spinning a couple-hundred miles southeast of Palau is expected to track through the Philippines. While the exact track of the disturbance will be slightly to the south of Haiyan's, heavy rain accompanying the disturbance will pass directly over the areas devastated by Haiyan.
As the center of the disturbance reaches the Philippines by early Wednesday (local time), the system will likely develop into a tropical depression. Through late Wednesday, the system will cross the islands.
This system will not be traveling as fast as Haiyan, meaning there will be more time for heavy rain to pour down. Rain is expected to start late Tuesday afternoon (local time), and continue through Wednesday night.
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Eric Wanenchak anticipates a general 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 inches) of rain will fall along the path of the system.
That amount of rain could easily trigger new flash flooding problems, especially with the ground severely saturated by Haiyan. Mudslides are again a threat, while any rain could hamper cleanup and recovery efforts.
RELATED: Haiyan, Strongest Cyclone of the Year, Pounds the Philippines AccuWeather Hurricane Center Philippines Weather
The good news is that winds within the system will be significantly weaker than in Haiyan when it reaches the Philippines.
While the winds will pale in comparison to Haiyan, strong wind gusts of 65 to 80 kph (40 to 50 mph) could toss around debris left in the wake of Haiyan and create additional hazards to those who were left stranded and homeless this past week.
The bad news is that there is still potential for the disturbance to strengthen into a tropical storm and unleash the heavy rain.
This story was originally published on Friday, November 8, 2013, with content contributed by AccuWeather.com Meteorologists Eric Leister and Courtney Spamer.
© AccuWeather.com. All rights reserved. More from AccuWeather.com.
With much of the country experiencing an unseasonably warm winter, fears of climate change come to mind. See how well you understand recent weather, climate and the difference between them.
Weather vs. Climate Change: Test Yourself
