Falcon slows, stays distant from PH landmass
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm Falcon (international name: Khanun) has decelerated and is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea, far from the country’s landmass throughout the forecast period, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Saturday.
Falcon was last seen 1,315 kilometers east of Central Luzon.
It is still packing maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph, but Pagasa said its movement has slowed down to 10 kph.
“Falcon is forecast to move generally north northwestward today through tomorrow, then turn generally northwestward on Monday. This tropical cyclone will remain over the Philippine Sea and far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period,” said Pagasa in its bulletin issued at 11 a.m.
The state weather bureau said Falcon may intensify into a typhoon on Sunday afternoon or evening. It may also reach “peak intensity” ahead of its expected exit from the Philippine boundary between Monday evening (July 31) or Tuesday morning (August 1).
“The hoisting of wind signal[s] due to Falcon over any locality in the country remains unlikely based on the current forecast scenario,” Pagasa added.
However, the following areas were told to brace for gusty conditions beginning Saturday due to the cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon:
- Zambales
- Bataan
- Palawan
- Occidental Mindoro
- Romblon
- most of CALABARZON
- Bicol Region
- Western Visayas
The same weather conditions may also be experienced in Metro Manila and nearby provinces starting Sunday, July 30.
Pagasa then stressed that a gale warning is hoisted over the following seaboards: the western seaboard of Luzon, the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, and the eastern and western seaboards of Visayas.
This means that fishermen with small sea vessels are not safe to sail.
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