MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:41 a.m.) — State weather bureau PAGASA said Typhoon Betty has decelerated as it continues to move westward over the Philippine sea, east of Northern Luzon.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA says Betty was located 715 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
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It is moving westward at the speed of 15 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 215 kph.
PAGASA on late Saturday night downgraded “Betty” to a typhoon.
The weather bureau said that Betty will continue moving west northwestward or northwestward until Monday, while gradually slowing down.
It added that Betty “will likely become slow moving or almost stationary by Tuesday while over the waters east of Batanes.”
Betty is also seen to remain as typhoon category throughout forecast period, while it gradually weaken until Tuesday. Increasingly unfavorable environment while moving northward or north northeastward on Wednesday or Thursday will further accelerate the weakening rate of the typhoon.
By late Thursday or Friday, Betty may be downgraded to severe tropical storm category.
Still, PAGASA said that a marine gale warning remains in effect over the northern eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.
Monsoon rains expected
PAGASA said Betty will enhance the Southwest Monsoon the coming week.
It warned that monsoon rains will be likely to be experienced in the western portions of MIMAROPA and Western Visayas from Monday to Wednesday.
CALABARAZON is expected to also experience monsoon rains on Tuesday, while on Wednesday, monsoon rains are likely over Western Visayas and the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon.
“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” it said.
The enhanced southeast monsoon may also bring occasionally gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength starting Sunday night or Monday morning, over most of Visayas, eastern portion of Central Luzon, the eastern and southern portion of Southern Luzon, and the northern portion of Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the western portion of Luzon may also experience the same conditions beginning Tuesday or Wednesday.
Signal No. 1
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the following areas:
- Batanes
- Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Apayao
- Ilocos Norte
- the northern and central portions of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Danglas, La Paz, Dolores, Tayum, Bucay, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Bucloc, Boliney)
- Kalinga
- the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis, Bontoc)
- the eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Lagawe, Lamut, Kiangan, Asipulo)
- the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)
- Quirino
- the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Solano, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde, Bayombong, Ambaguio)
PAGASA warned that minimal to minor impacts caused by strong winds or strong breeze to near gale strength are possible in these areas. “Such conditions may begin tonight or tomorrow,” it added.
Forecast position:
- May 28, 2023 08:00 PM - 555 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
- May 29, 2023 08:00 AM - 460 km East of Calayan, Cagayan
- May 29, 2023 08:00 PM - 350 km East of Calayan, Cagayan
- May 30, 2023 08:00 AM - 235 km East Southeast of Basco, Batanes
- May 30, 2023 08:00 PM - 195 km East of Basco, Batanes
- May 31, 2023 08:00 AM - 185 km East of Itbayat, Batanes
- Jun 01, 2023 08:00 AM - 270 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
- Jun 02, 2023 08:00 AM - 535 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes