Cloudy, Rainy Monday; ‘Florita’ Won’t Make Landfall – PAGASA

Manila — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday said the country will continue to experience cloudy and rainy weather in most parts of the country due to southwest monsoon which is enhanced by typhoon “Florita”.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said that as of 6 a.m., the eye of typhoon “Florita” is located 650 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan (20.3ºN, 128.4ºE) with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness of up to 220 kph. It is forecast to move northwest at 24 kph.

She added the typhoon is not expected to make a landfall in any part of the country.

With its speed and movement, Escullar said the typhoon expected to be out of Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday as it headed towards Okinawa, Japan.

Escullar also said typhoon Florita has no direct affect but will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” that will induce monsoon rains over the parts of Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

She added the rest of Luzon and of Visayas will experience occasional rains while Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the country and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

PAGASA also issued gale warning as strong to gale force winds associated with surge of southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoon “Florita” is expected to affect the Eastern seaboard of Luzon and seaboards Visayas.

“Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said. (PNA) JBP/CLTC