by Philippines News Agency
MANILA -– Tropical storm “Ambo” gained strength as it moved along the eastern coast of Northern Luzon on Saturday afternoon, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise public storm warning signal No. 2 over the Batanes group of islands.
Fernando Tada, weather forecaster, said that as of 4 p.m. Saturday, "Ambo" (international name: Mawar) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 210 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora (17.4°N, 124.1°E) with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.
“Ambo is not expected to make landfall but may continue to gain strength as it continues its path over water,” Tada said.
He added that public storm warning signal No. 2 has been raised over the Batanes group of islands and Calayan islands which means that winds of 61-100 kph are expected in at least 24 hours in these areas.
Meanwhile, winds of 30-60 kph are expected within the next 36 hours in the following areas which are under public storm warning signal No. 1: Northern Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan, including Babuyan island.
“Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under signals No. 1 and 2 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides,” PAGASA said.
Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Southern Luzon and the Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon due to the combined effect of the storm and the southwest monsoon.
Weathermen said that "Ambo," the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in 2012, is expected to leave the country late Monday or early Tuesday.
PAGASA said that some 15 to 25 millimeters of rainfall per hour (heavy) is expected within the 400-km. diameter of the storm and will also enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Central and Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila and the Visayas.
According to PAGASA, "Ambo" is forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph and expected to be 150 kms. east of Basco, Batanes by Sunday afternoon.
By Monday afternoon, it is expected to be 440 kms. northeast of Basco, Batanes, and 780 kms. north-northeast of Basco, Batanes by Tuesday afternoon.
MANILA -– Tropical storm “Ambo” gained strength as it moved along the eastern coast of Northern Luzon on Saturday afternoon, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise public storm warning signal No. 2 over the Batanes group of islands.
Fernando Tada, weather forecaster, said that as of 4 p.m. Saturday, "Ambo" (international name: Mawar) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 210 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora (17.4°N, 124.1°E) with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.
“Ambo is not expected to make landfall but may continue to gain strength as it continues its path over water,” Tada said.
He added that public storm warning signal No. 2 has been raised over the Batanes group of islands and Calayan islands which means that winds of 61-100 kph are expected in at least 24 hours in these areas.
Meanwhile, winds of 30-60 kph are expected within the next 36 hours in the following areas which are under public storm warning signal No. 1: Northern Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan, including Babuyan island.
“Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under signals No. 1 and 2 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides,” PAGASA said.
Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Southern Luzon and the Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon due to the combined effect of the storm and the southwest monsoon.
Weathermen said that "Ambo," the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in 2012, is expected to leave the country late Monday or early Tuesday.
PAGASA said that some 15 to 25 millimeters of rainfall per hour (heavy) is expected within the 400-km. diameter of the storm and will also enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Central and Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila and the Visayas.
According to PAGASA, "Ambo" is forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph and expected to be 150 kms. east of Basco, Batanes by Sunday afternoon.
By Monday afternoon, it is expected to be 440 kms. northeast of Basco, Batanes, and 780 kms. north-northeast of Basco, Batanes by Tuesday afternoon.
