Typhoon Pepito strengthens to super typhoon status in the Philippines
Typhoon Pepito, now classified as a super typhoon, has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 230 kph. It was located 215 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, and is moving west-northwest at 25 kph. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced the upgrade at 8 a.m. on November 16. Pepito is expected to make landfall in Catanduanes later today or early tomorrow. Pagasa has issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals across various regions, including Signal No. 3 in parts of the Bicol Region and Northern and Eastern Samar. The super typhoon is projected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by November 18.