‘Onyok’ exits PAR; fair weather, scattered rains to prevail

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 has been lifted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands as typhoon “Onyok” (international name “Mitag”) is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

As of Tuesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Onyok at 695 kilometers (km) north of Basco, Batanes.

PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said although Onyok has already left the PAR, the trough or extension of the typhoon may still bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have fair weather in the morning but with chances of rain showers in the afternoon due to localized thunderstorms.

The public is still reminded to remain alert for possible flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides over mountainous areas, especially during severe thunderstorms.

Mendoza said a gale warning also remains in effect as sea travel is still risky, especially for small sea crafts, over the northern and eastern coasts of Northern Luzon due to potentially rough sea condition triggered by Onyok.

He said there is no weather disturbance inside the country’s area of responsibility as of Tuesday.

This month, PAGASA said that two or three tropical cyclones may form or enter the country’s area of responsibility.

The local names of the next tropical cyclones will be Perla, Quiel, and Ramon.

The track of tropical cyclones during this period are mostly landfalling or crossing the landmass of Central Luzon, Visayas, or Northern Mindanao, but still some cyclones are recurving or do not directly affect the country.

Rainfall forecast for October will be generally near normal in most parts of the country with below normal rainfall in northwestern Luzon, and above normal precipitation in Aurora and Cavite provinces.