‘Mina’ weakens, set to exit Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Mina further weakened Sunday but whipped Batanes as it moved to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) toward Taiwan.

By 10 a.m. Sunday, Mina’s maximum winds had been reduced to 120 kph near the center, and gustiness to 150 kph as it swirled 60 km east of Basco, Batanes.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration maintained Signal No. 3 over Batanes Group of Islands; No. 2 over Ilocos Norte, Babuyan and Calayan Group of Islands, and No. 1 over Cagayan, Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Sur.

“Extreme northern Luzon will still experience stormy weather,’’ forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said in a briefing before Sunday noon.

As it swirls out of the Philippine area of responsibility, Mina is expected to further weaken, and Pagasa is expected to lower storm signals by the end of the day, except on Batanes, said Robert Sawi, officer in charge of the Pagasa weather division.

“By the middle of the week, we will have gradually improving weather,’’ Sawi said in the same briefing.

Northern Luzon and the western section of Central and Southern Luzon will continue to experience monsoon rains enhanced by Mina.

Mina, which gained speed at 9 kph and moving north northwest, is expected to be out of the PAR by Monday.