Gorio now inside PAR, may bring rains

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Gorio (international name: Podul) is expected to proceed westward as it entered the Philippines' vicinity, the state weather bureau said. 

Gorio entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, PAGASA reported in an advisory.

As of 4 a.m. on Monday, August 11, Podul is at 1,305 kilometers (km) east of extreme northern Luzon, moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) with winds of up to 110 kph and gusts of up to 135 kph. 

Weather specialist Daniel Villamil said Gorio has yet to have a direct effect on the country due to its distance from the Philippine mainland.

However, a significant change in its track, such as a southward shift, could lead to the possibility of raising Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of the extreme northern Luzon, specifically Batanes or the Babuyan Islands.

The state weather bureau’s general forecast, however, anticipates Goryo to move west-northwest toward the northern boundary of the PAR near Taiwan.

Southwest monsoon. Despite Gorio not directly affecting the country, some parts of Luzon may expect rains due to the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat.”

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Batanes and Babuyan Islands may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the habagat.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.