LPA off Batanes intensifies into tropical storm

A low-pressure area off Batanes intensified into a tropical storm yesterday and is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains over extreme Northern Luzon this weekend.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Tropical Storm Florita was spotted at 860 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Florita is forecast to move northwest at a speed of 11 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz said the weather disturbance was not expected to make landfall in any part of the country.

But it is likely to boost the southwest monsoon, which will bring occasional rains over extreme Northern Luzon this weekend.

No tropical cyclone warning signal was raised as of noon yesterday.

De la Cruz said Metro Manila and the rest of the counA try will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Florita is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) advised residents in Northern Luzon to expect moderate to heavy rains this weekend due to Florita.

The NDRRMC operations center has alerted its regional offices for information dissemination to the provincial and municipal levels.

“The public and DRRM councils are advised to take appropriate actions,” the NDRRMC said.