‘Florita’ to spare PH, on way out 

Source: Pagasa / DOST

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday said the low pressure area, which has developed into tropical storm “Florita,” (International name: Prapiroon) has started to move out of the country.

Pagasa weather specialist Shelly Ignacio said Florita is carrying maximum winds of 65 km per hour and gusts of up to 80 km per hour.

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, Florita was spotted 820 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, and was moving in northwesterly direction at a speed of 9 km per hour.

With its current track, forecasters predict a “low chance” that Florita will make landfall.

“As such, the weather bureau expects not raising any warning signal, but Florita may enhance southwest monsoon [habagat], and may bring rains on areas in northern Luzon,” she said.

Pagasa forecast said Florita is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday, but may continue to bring slightly cloudy to cloudy skies in most areas of Luzon. /jpv