Weather satellite image from Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — Severe tropical storm Sarah slightly intensified while moving over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Thursday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) added that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 hoisted over the Babuyan Islands has now been lifted.
In its 11 a.m. weather update, Pagasa said Sarah was last spotted 275 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, and moving west-northwest at 10 kph.
The trough of Sarah will bring light to moderate rains with some isolated heavy rain showers over Isabela, Cagayan (especially on the eastern section), Aurora, and northern Quezon, according to Pagasa.
Meanwhile, Pagasa said the low-pressure area formerly known as Tropical Depression Ramon was last seen some 225 kilometers west-southwest of Subic, Zambales.