TS ‘Paolo’ may intensify

Severe tropical storm “Paolo” intensified yesterday and may soon be a typhoon as it brings scattered rains over the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao. Before Tuesday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Paolo at 765 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 90 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

PAGASA said Paolo may intensify further into a typhoon within 24 to 36 hours.

It is not expected to make landfall over the Philippines as it moves north-northwest at 7 kph.

However, Paolo’s outer rain bands may bring scattered light to moderate with possible occasional heavy rains over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It will likely leave the country’s area of responsibility by Sunday.

Meanwhile, a low pressure area (LPA) was spotted at 395 km west of Coron, Palawan Tuesday noon.

PAGASA said this weather system will bring scattered light to moderate with possible occasional heavy rains over Palawan.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies apart from isolated rain showers mostly in the afternoon or evening due to thunderstorms.

Both weather systems may enhance the Northeast Monsoon which may generate moderate to rough seas over the seaboard of Northern Luzon. Fisherfolks with small sea vessels are advised to coordinate with their local Coast Guard before venturing into the sea.