Tropical Storm, LPA bring rains over Philippines
-A A +AWednesday, September 12, 2012
MANILA -- Expect rains over Visayas and Mindanao as Tropical Storm Karen and low pressure area (LPA) continue to hover, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday.
Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said that as of 4 a.m., "Karen" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 660 kilometers East of Borongan, Eastern Samar (12.0°N, 132.4°E) with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Aurelio said the tropical storm has maintained its strength and has slightly accelerated as it continues to move over the east of Philippine sea.
He said if it will not change its track, Karen is not expected make landfall in any part of the country.
"Karen" is forecast at 910 kms. East of Aparri, Cagayan on Thursday evening and at 700 kms. East of Itbayat, Batanes Friday evening.
Aurelio said "Karen" is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by weekend and will move towards Japan.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the estimated rainfall amount is from 10 to 20 mm per hour (moderate - heavy) within the 300-km diameter of the tropical storm.
Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao due to "Karen".
Most affected areas by the tropical storm -- Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga and Caraga regions-- will have occasional moderate to heavy rain that could trigger landslides and flashfloods, the agency warned.
Pagasa said no public storm signal was raised.
Metro Manila will be partly cloudy to cloudy with light to moderate rains, while the rest of the country will have scattered light to moderate rains.
On the other hand, the LPA spotted off at 240 km West of Zambales (15.0°N, 117.5°E) continues to move westward and has chance to become tropical cyclone since it is in the sea, Aurelio said.
But once it intensifies into a cyclone, he said, it will be named “Lawin,” the 12th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year. (PNA)
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