‘Crising’ moves farther away, all cyclone signals lifted

MANILA – All tropical cyclone wind signals have been lifted as Severe Tropical Storm Winpha (formerly Crising) moves farther away from the Philippine landmass, the weather bureau said on Saturday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the center of the storm was estimated to be 345 km West of Itbayat, Batanes, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.

The severe tropical storm is forecast to move generally west-northwestward over the next 24 hours before turning westward to west-southwestward towards southern China for the rest of the forecast period.

It is forecast to continue intensifying and may reach the Typhoon category before its close approach to Hong Kong.

Monsoon rains are forecasted over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro due to the southwest monsoon, also known as “habagat.”

The habagat will likewise bring occasional rains over Metro Manila, Ilocos, Abra, Benguet, the rest of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the rest of Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Negros Occidental.

The rest of Luzon, the rest of the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Lanao del Sur will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. In contrast, the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The northern and western sections of Northern Luzon will experience strong to gale winds and rough to very rough seas.

The rest of the archipelago will have moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas. (PNA)