Typhoon ‘Rosita’ enters PAR on Saturday

Typhoon “Rosita” (international name: “Yutu”) is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday, although its effects on the archipelago may be felt only after the weekend.

The eye of the storm was located 1,815 kilometers east of northern Luzon on Friday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Senior weather specialist Chris Perez said the typhoon was expected to continue moving west-northwest at 20 km per hour with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gusts of up to 225 kph.

No direct effect yet

Perez said the typhoon still had no direct effect on the country, but it was expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over northern and Central Luzon beginning on Monday evening.

Storm signals, he said, may be raised as early as Monday morning over Isabela and Cagayan provinces. —JAYMEE T. GAMIL