Ofel forecast to exit PH Friday afternoon; Batanes under Signal No. 2

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau has lifted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 as Ofel goes back from a typhoon to being a severe tropical storm on Friday morning.

Ofel was last seen 195 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north-northwestward at 20 kms per hour, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

READ: Pepito now a typhoon; Ofel lowers strength to severe tropical storm

The now-severe tropical storm (international name: Usagi) is packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

This development prompted the agency to remove Signal No. 3.

Meanwhile, Signal 2 is up in Batanes.

On the other hand, the following areas are still under Signal No. 1:

• The northern portion of Cagayan (Pamplona, Claveria, Abulug, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, Ballesteros)
• Babuyan Islands
• The northern portion of Apayao (Luna, Santa Marcela, Calanasan)
• The northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos, Pasuquin, Vintar, Bacarra, Piddig, Carasi)

Ofel is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday afternoon.