Gorio exits; Huaning brings rains over Luzon

A new weather disturbance entered the country yesterday as Typhoon Gorio (international name Nesat) left the Philippine area of responsibility after dumping rains in many parts of Luzon in the past days, triggering flashfloods in some areas.

Tropical Storm Huaning (Haitang) was enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to occasionally heavy rains over Northern and Central Luzon until today.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Huaning was spotted at 215 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 80 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 110 kph.

As of 5 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.1 was hoisted over Batanes, Ilocos Norte and northwestern Cagayan, including the Babuyan Group of Islands.

Huaning was forecast to move northward at 24 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Huaning was forecast to make landfall over southern Taiwan last night.

If it maintains its current speed and track, the storm is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility this morning.

Aurelio said while Huaning is unlikely to make landfall in any part of the country, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon. It will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon today.

Rainfall activity would decrease by tomorrow as Huaning moves away from the country and weaken into a tropical depression.

Aurelio advised residents of the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon to brace for possible flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and western seaboard of Central Luzon, he added.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains or thunderstorms.

Aurelio said Northern and Central Luzon can expect improved weather condition beginning tomorrow.