Luzon to Experience Stormy Weather Due to TS ‘Kabayan’ — PAGASA

Most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience rainy weather with gusty winds on Friday due to the presence Tropical Storm “Kabayan”, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA weather forecaster Manny Mendoza said as of 4 a.m. Friday the center of Kabayan was estimated to be in the vicinity of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija or at 60 km west of Baler, Aurora (15.8N, 121.0E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 20 kph.

Mendoza said the tropical storm made landfall over Baler-San Luis, Aurora around 12:20 a.m. Friday.

He added the tropical storm is now traversing Central Luzon and is expected to exit landmass around 9 to 11 a.m. today.

While maintaining its speed and movement, he noted the tropical storm will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by early Saturday morning and will be heading towards China or Vietnam.

Mendoza said public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-120 kph winds is expected in 24 hrs.) has been raised in Luzon over the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan and Tarlac.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds is expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over in southern Isabela, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, northern Quezon including Polillo Island and Metro Manila.

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon and eastern seaboard of Quezon including Polillo Island.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300 km diameter of the tropical storm.

Moderate to occasionally heavy rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

In its Friday forecast, PAGASA said stormy weather is expected over the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Benguet, La Union and Pangasinan. Rains with gusty winds will prevail over Metro Manila, rest of Central Luzon and the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Isabela, Rizal and Quezon.

Moderate to occasionally heavy rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains will be experienced over Western Visayas and the rest of Luzon while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and coming from the south over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of Kabayan as the sea condition would be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds expected to affect the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

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