Tropical Storm Ambo keeps intensity; Ilocos Norte under Signal No. 2

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ambo (international name: Vongfong) has maintained its strength as it moves towards north-northwestward of the West Philippine Sea on Saturday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

In a severe weather bulletin at 2 p.m.,  the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ambo was spotted 75 kilometers (kms) west-northwest of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte around 1 p.m.

The weather disturbance was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, Pagasa added.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted over Ilocos Norte province.

Pagasa also said TCWS No. 1 was declared in the following areas:

Apayao

Abra

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Batanes

Babuyan Islands

Northwestern portion of Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros.)

According to Pagasa, Ambo will likely cause moderate to heavy rains over Cagayan Valley and light to moderate with at times heavy rains in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the northern portions of Aurora and Zambales.

Pagasa said the tropical storm could possibly leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday afternoon.

KGA