'Jolina' now a storm; LPA spotted off Catanduanes

MANILA, Philippines - The 10th tropical depression to enter the country this year has intensified into a storm while a potential cyclone has been spotted off Catanduanes, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Storm "Jolina" was spotted at 450 kilometers west of Subic, Zambales with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center.

No public storm warning signals have been raised.

Jolina is projected to move northwest at 11 kph.

PAGASA said Jolina is expected to be at 660 km west of Subic, Zambales on Thursday morning and will be already outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The agency said moderate to heavy rainfall (five to 15 millimeters per hour) is estimated within the 300 km diameter of the tropical storm.

Jolina will enhance the Southwest Monsoon, which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the Mimaropa and Calabarzon regions.

Meanwhile, a low pressure area was spotted at 210 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.

Earlier, PAGASA said Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Palawan and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be moderate to occasionally strong coming from the southwest to southeast with moderate to occasionally rough seas.