Karen to bring heavy rains over Luzon this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Most of Luzon, including Metro Manila, should brace for moderate to occasional heavy rains this weekend as Tropical Storm Karen (international name Sarika) moved closer to Central Luzon.

Several areas, including Metro Manila, were placed under tropical cyclone warning signal yesterday afternoon as Karen continued to approach Luzon.

Karen – the 11th cyclone to enter the country this year – is forecast to make landfall over Aurora or Quezon tomorrow morning.

Benison Estareja, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Karen is expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm within the next 24 hours.

He said the storm has a slim chance of changing its path based on latest forecasts.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, tropical cyclone warning signal No. 2 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.

Signal No. 1, meanwhile, was raised over Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon, including Polillo Island, Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Laguna, Rizal, Marinduque, Ticao and Burias Island, Masbate, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Metro Manila and Northern Samar.

Stormy weather is expected over the Bicol region in the next 24 hours.