'Jolina' weakens into a tropical storm as it heads for Bataan


(PAGASA)

Tropical cyclone "Jolina" (international name "Conson") has weakened into a storm and was moving northwest towards Bataan on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 8.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Jolina is now packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

It estimated the center of the tropical storm over the Manila Bay or 135 kilometers (km) south of Sangley Pt., Cavite.

PAGASA said Jolina will likely make another landfall over the vicinity of Bataan Peninsula on Wednesday evening before it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 is still up in Metro Manila, northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, central portion of Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, southern portion of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, and Tarlac.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is still hoisted over Marinduque, La Union, southern portion of Benguet, southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, southern portion of Aurora, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Bulacan, northern and southern portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, central portion of Oriental Mindoro, and central portion of Occidental Mindoro.

In the next 24 hours, heavy to intense will prevail over Bataan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are also likely over Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also affect Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.

PAGASA reiterated that scattered to widespread flooding including flash floods and rain-induced landslides remain likely especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.

It also warned of damaging gale-force to storm-force winds in areas under Signal No. 2 and strong winds with occasional gusts in areas under Signal No. 1.

Moreover, coastal flooding may occur in areas under signals 2 and 1.

"Re-intensification is forecast to occur beginning tomorrow afternoon (Sept. 9) as the tropical cyclone moves generally westward over the West Philippine Sea towards the southern China-northern Vietnam area," PAGASA said.

It said that Jolina will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday evening or early Friday morning, Sept. 10.