Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) is forecasted to slowly accelerate in the next 24 hours and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before the weekend.

(Courtesy of PAGASA)

In its bulletin issued at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that “Betty” further weakens while moving slowly over the sea East of Batanes.

As it slowly accelerates today through tomorrow morning while moving generally northward over the waters east of Batanes, PAGASA said “some wobbling in its movement” such as sudden turns to the north northeast or north northwest is possible in the next 12 hours.

Beginning June 1 afternoon or evening, “Betty” is expected to turn more northeastward and will exit the PAR in the evening or in the early morning of June 2.

Outside the PAR, PAGASA said the tropical cyclone would pass very close or make landfall in the central Ryukyu Islands by mid-Friday.

'Betty' to steadily weaken

Over the next five days, PAGASA said “Betty” is expected to steadily weaken due to the cooler ocean waters, dry air intrusion, and increasing vertical wind shear.

“The typhoon may be downgraded into a severe tropical storm tonight or tomorrow morning and into a tropical storm on Friday evening or Saturday morning,” PAGASA said.

“However, given the extent of the effect of dry air intrusion on the typhoon, a faster weakening rate within the forecast period is not ruled out,” it added.

Typhoon Betty, PAGASA said, may “begin its transition into a post-tropical cyclone on Saturday or Sunday, although this will occur outside the PAR region.”

No changes in TCWS

Meanwhile, PAGASA said there were “no changes" in areas under Wind Signal Nos. 1 and 2 from its previous bulletin. Batanes is still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.

Meanwhile, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, San Mariano, Dinapigue, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Quirino, Divilacan, Gamu, Maconacon, Naguilian, Mallig), the eastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Piddig, Bangui, Vintar, Marcos, Pagudpud, Banna, Adams, Carasi, Dingras, Solsona, Dumalneg, Nueva Era), Apayao, the northern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Rizal), and the northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong) are still under TCWS No. 1.

Weather update

PAGASA also issued a heavy rainfall outlook from today to tomorrow afternoon. Affected areas are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, and the western portion of Benguet.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA said.

PAGASA noted that “minor to moderate impacts caused by gale-force winds remain possible within the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted” while minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are also “possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is currently in effect.”

Furthermore, PAGASA noted that the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will bring occasional to frequent wind gusts over the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Aurora, Quezon, the northern portion of mainland Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, and the remaining areas of Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region that are not under any Wind Signal.

PAGASA added that a marine gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas under the influence of typhoon Betty and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

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