TS “Betty” (Bavi) Weakens into Tropical Depression, Fair Weather Continues until Thursday

Tropical storm “Betty” which entered the country on Tuesday afternoon has weakened into a tropical depression on Wednesday, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Meno Mendoza said that as of 4 a.m. tropical depression Betty was estimated based on all available data at 1,190 Km East of Casiguran, Aurora (15.8°N, 133.2°E) packed with maximum winds of 55 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph.

Maintaining its movement and speed, Mendoza said that tropical depression Betty is expected to make landfall in Isabela-Cagayan by Saturday.

Mendoza said tropical depression Betty is expected to weaken into a low pressure area (LPA) due to the presence of ridge of high pressure area and because of strong vertical wind shear or winds from different directions that blow into the country has been interacting with the circulation of the tropical cyclone.

He said the agency has not raised any public storm warning signal but tropical depression Betty will bring cloudy skies with rains over Northern and Central Luzon by Friday.

So far, the tropical depression is not affecting the country until Thursday as most parts of the country will continue to experience generally fair weather due to Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) affecting Northern Luzon, Mendoza noted.

For Wednesday forecast, PAGASA said the whole country will experience partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The temperature in Metro Manila for Wednesday will range from 19-32 degrees Celsius.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over the eastern section of Luzon.

The coastal waters along these area will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the northeast with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) FPV/CLTC