Signal No. 2 up in Batanes; Expect More Typhoon-induced Monsoon Rains

(PNA) — The province of Batanes is now under public storm warning signal no. 2 as Typhoon “Hanna” maintains its strength as it moves closer towards Batanes-Taiwan area, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) on Friday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said that as of 5 a.m., the eye of typhoon Hanna was located 475 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (21.7°N, 126.3°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph.

He said the typhoon continues to move west northwest at 20 kph headed towards Batanes-Taiwan area.

Though it is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country, typhoon Hanna is expected to exit the country by Saturday as it heads towards Taiwan and China.

Aurelio said since the typhoon moved closer to Batanes, the state weather bureau raised public storm warning signal No. 2 (61-120 kph, expected in 24 hours) in the province of Batanes including Itbayat.

The wave height is 4.1-14.0m. Storm surge is possible in coastal areas.

He said public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph, expected in 36 hours) has been hoisted in Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands and northern Cagayan.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 700 km diameter of the typhoon.

Maintaining its speed and movement, the typhoon is forecast to be at 325 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Saturday morning.

By Sunday morning, it is expected to be outside PAR or at 710 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

Aurelio said expect rainy weather in most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila starting Friday afternoon until weekend as the typhoon Hanna will enhance the southwest monsoon that will induce rains.

For Friday forecast, stormy weather with rough to very rough seas will prevail over Batanes group of islands. Monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over Western Visayas and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCKSARGEN, ARMM, Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera, rest of Visayas and the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest to west will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

Aurelio said the state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoon Hanna as the sea condition will be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, the seaboards of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.

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