Severe Tropical Storm “Ofel” (international name: Usagi) has continued to weaken as it exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday afternoon, Nov. 15, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Ofel has maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 125 kph.
The center of the severe tropical storm was located 205 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.
While Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Batanes, PAGASA said Ofel is no longer expected to bring significant rainfall to the country, even if it reenters the PAR on Friday evening.
PAGASA said the severe tropical storm is expected to weaken further as it interacts with the mountainous terrain of Taiwan.
It said Ofel will be downgraded to a remnant low by Sunday evening, Nov. 17, or early Monday, Nov. 18.