Severe tropical storm "Maring" (international name "Kompasu") is about to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) but may still bring stormy weather over northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon on Tuesday, Oct. 12, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA said Maring was last spotted at 315 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan.
The storm has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph while moving westward at 20 kph.
PAGASA said the effects of Maring may still be felt in the entire northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon on Tuesday.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 remains hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
The rest of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, northern portion of Bataan, and northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands remains under Signal No. 1.
Heavy rainfall, gusty conditions, storm-enhanced 'habagat'
"Today (Oct. 12), heavy to intense rains are highly likely over Ilocos Region, Benguet, Ifugao, Abra, and Mountain Province," PAGASA said.
Likewise, moderate to heavy rains are highly likely over Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may affect Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon.
Severe tropical storm Maring could also enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and bring rains over Western Visayas, Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) in the next 24 hours.
PAGASA advised affected residents to remain vigilant against possible isolated scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides especially those in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
Moreover, gale-to-storm-force strength winds may prevail in areas where Signal No. 2 is currently in effect, while strong winds with higher gusts may persist in areas under Signal No. 1.
PAGASA said that due to the expansive wind field of the tropical storm and the enhanced southwest monsoon, gusty conditions may also prevail over Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Zamboanga del Norte, and the rest of Luzon even in the next 24 hours
Furthermore, rough to high seas, up to 2.8 to 7.5 meters high, will be experienced over the seaboards of areas under Signal Nos. 2 and 1.
"These conditions are risky for all types of sea vessels. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside," PAGASA said.
A gale warning is also in effect along the western seaboard of Central Luzon, seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas, and western, eastern, and northern seaboards of Mindanao.
PAGASA warned that sea travel in these areas remains risky for small seacrafts, while it advised mariners without the proper experience to immediately seek safe harbor.
Should it maintain its current speed and track, Maring will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility Tuesday morning.