Severe tropical storm Betty (international name: Mawar) has further weakened shortly before its projected exit from the country’s area of responsibility, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, June 1.
(MB Visual Content Group)
In the latest forecast issued as of 11 a.m., PAGASA said the center of Betty was monitored 570 kilometers (km) northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, carrying maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph. It is moving at the speed of 10 kph north-northeastward.
Despite Betty’s near-exit, most parts of the country may continue to experience wind gusts and scattered rains. These will be caused by the southwest monsoon or in local terms – “habagat.”
Due to this weather system, occasional to frequent wind gusts may prevail in places of northern Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Northern Samar and the northern portion of Samar within the next 24-hour period
With this development, a marine gale warning remained hoisted in the following areas: the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon, the eastern seaboard of Luzon, and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon. (Sonny Daanoy)