Tropical Storm “Enteng” (international name “Yagi”) has regained strength from the warm waters west of Ilocos Norte and is currently enhancing the effects of the southwest monsoon (habagat), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the storm was located 100 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

It now has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts reaching up to 105 kph, up from 75 kph maximum winds and 125 kph gusts in the previous update.

As the storm moves out of the landmass of northern Luzon, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been lifted in several areas, although some regions still have active signals.

PAGASA said Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over the western portion of Ilocos Norte and northern portion of Ilocos Sur, while Signal No. 1 is still in effect in the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, northern portion of La Union, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, western portion of Mountain Province, northern portion of Benguet, and western section of Cagayan including Fuga and Dalupiri Islands.

‘Enteng’, ‘habagat’ rainfall

Enteng is expected to continue to bring heavy rains to northern Luzon before it exits the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday morning, Sept. 4.

Meanwhile, the effects of the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon may persist until Thursday, Sept. 5

On Tuesday, Enteng’s rainfall is expected to reach 100 to 200 millimeters (heavy to intense) in Ilocos Sur and Abra, while the rest of the Ilocos Region, Benguet, and the western part of Mountain Province will receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall (moderate to heavy).

PAGASA also warned that Enteng could further intensify the effects of the habagat, potentially bringing rainy weather to the western parts of Luzon over the next two days.

On Tuesday, heavy to intense monsoon rains are expected over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Moderate to heavy rains may continue in northern Palawan (including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands), Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

By Wednesday, Sept. 4, heavy to intense rains from the habagat may persist in Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Northern Palawan (including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands), Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, La Union, and Benguet may experience moderate to heavy monsoon rains.

By Thursday, heavy to intense rains may continue in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while moderate to heavy rains may affect northern Palawan (including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands), Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Pangasinan.