MANILA – Tropical Depression Bising slightly intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km. per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 70 kph, the weather bureau said in its 11 a.m. update Friday.
Bising was traced 280 km. west northwest of Calayan, Cagayan as of 10 a.m., moving west southwestward at 15 kph.
More areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1: the western portion of Babuyan Islands (Calayan and Dalupiri); the western portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Dumalneg, Bacarra, Laoag City, Paoay, Currimao, Badoc, Pinili); and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Sur (Caoayan, City of Vigan, Santa Catalina, San Vicente, Santo Domingo, Magsingal, San Juan, Cabugao, Sinait, San Ildefonso).
Strong winds will prevail in those areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The southwest monsoon and the periphery of Bising will also bring strong to gale-force gusts across the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and Antique.
PAGASA, meanwhile, forecast heavy rains over Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Cagayan, and Apayao due to Bising.
The southwest monsoon will also bring heavy rains over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan.
Rough seas may be experienced in the western seaboards of Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte.
Mariners of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to the sea, PAGASA said. (PNA)