By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Tropical cyclone “Rosita” (international name “Yutu”) has further weakened as it moved outside the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday afternoon.
From a typhoon when it made landfall last Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) downgraded Rosita to tropical storm on Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
All tropical cyclone warning signals have been lifted.
Rosita was last spotted 325 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte shortly before Wednesday evening.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said light to moderate rains will still prevail over the western section of Northern and Central Luzon on Wednesday.
Landslides and flash floods are still possible especially in mountainous and low-lying areas, he warned.
A gale warning remains in effect as rough to very rough seas is expected over the western seaboards of Luzon and northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.
Estareja advised the fisherfolk not to set sail into these coastlines due to rough to very rough seas that will be dangerous for small sea crafts.
Improving weather condition is expected in Luzon during the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day this Thursday and Friday, PAGASA said.
Northern Luzon will have occasional light to moderate rains caused by the extended cloudiness of Rosita and tail-end of cold front.
Likewise, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will have light to occasional moderate rains associated with the southward migration of the tail-end of cold front by Friday until Sunday.
The rest of the country will have good weather condition apart from isolated passing light rains.