MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Betty (international name Bavi) weakened into a tropical depression yesterday but is still expected to bring rains over parts of Luzon this weekend, the state weather bureau said.
Shelly Ignacio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA), said if Betty maintains its strength and course, it will likely bring rains over the Cagayan Valley region, Aurora, Quezon and Bicol region tomorrow and on Saturday.
Ignacio said Betty, which entered the Philippine area of responsibility last Tuesday, is expected to weaken into a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours.
“But if the cyclone dissipates while over the sea, we can expect fair weather over the country until the weekend,” Ignacio said.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Betty was located at 1,045 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, packing winds of 45 kilometers per hour near center.
Betty was forecast to move west at 17 kph.
It is projected to be at 705 km east of Casiguran this morning, and 320 km east southeast of Casiguran tomorrow morning.