Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) has further decelerated while moving over the waters east of Cagayan. It may weaken into a severe tropical storm by Thursday, June 1 or early Friday, June 2, the state weather bureau reported on Monday afternoon, May 29.
Satellite image of typhoon Betty (PAGASA)
In its bulletin issued at 5 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the eye of typhoon Betty was last seen 445 kilometers (km) east of Calayan, Cagayan with maximum winds of 155 kph and gustiness of up to 190 kph.
PAGASA’s latest forecast track showed that Betty will continue to move slowly and may become “almost stationary” by Tuesday, May 30.
“This typhoon is forecast to steadily weaken over the next five days due to cooler ocean waters caused by upwelling of cooler waters in its wake and dry air intrusion. Betty may be downgraded into a severe tropical storm on late Thursday or early Friday and into a tropical storm on late Friday or early Saturday,” said the state weather bureau.
Despite its forecasted weakening, Betty will continue to dump rains and bring heavy winds in Northern Luzon. While indirectly affected by Betty, residents of the western portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas were likewise told to be vigilant against the rain showers that will be triggered by the cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon.
Wind Signals
Several areas in the Philippines continue to experience the impact of Betty. As of Monday afternoon, tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 2 remained raised in Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands.
Meanwhile, areas under Signal no. 1 include the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur.
Typhoon Betty is expected to exit the Philippine boundary on Friday, June 2.