Fair weather seen after Nimfa exit

MANILA, Philippines —  Fair weather, apart from isolated rains due to thunderstorms, will prevail over the country in the next three days as severe tropical storm Nimfa left the Philippine area of responsibility early yesterday.

Nimfa (international name Tapah) slightly intensified as it exited the country at around 2 a.m. and headed toward South Korea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). 

Although it did not hit landmass, the storm lingered over the Philippine Sea, enhanced the southwest monsoon and dumped rains over the entire Luzon. 

As of 5 a.m. yesterday, the center of Nimfa was estimated at 690 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, packing winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

It was moving north northwest at a speed of 25 kph.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Meno Mendoza said fair weather would prevail until Tuesday although the southwest monsoon might bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Luzon, including Metro Manila, until today.

No new weather disturbance is expected to enter the country in the next three days. 

Mendoza continued to warn fishermen against sailing over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to rough or very rough sea conditions.  

Nimfa was the 14th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the fourth this month.