Source: Pagasa / DOST
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm “Nimfa” intensified into a severe tropical storm as it remains “almost stationary” over east northeast of Basco, Batanes on Friday, state weather bureau said.
“‘NIMFA’ intensified into a Severe Tropical Storm at 2:00 PM today. It is forecast to continue intensifying within the forecast period,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 p.m. weather bulletin.
Pagasa said the weather disturbance was last seen at 630 kilometers (km) east northeast of Basco, Batanes and is packing sustained winds of up to 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
The weather bureau also predicted that “Nimfa” may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning.
Pagasa noted that southwest monsoon will bring occasional light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro and Calamian Islands.
Intermittent light to moderate rains will persist over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Provinces, and the rest of Central Luzon and northern portion of Palawan. /jpv