‘Betty’ weakens but will still bring rain

MANILA, Philippines–Tropical Storm “Betty” (international name: Bavi) will likely weaken and eventually dissipate into a low pressure area (LPA) before making landfall in Luzon later this week, according to state meteorologists.

Provinces in Central and northern Luzon, particularly Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora and Quezon, can expect light to moderate rains at the weekend due to the weather disturbance, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

The storm entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday night, moving west-northwest toward northern and Central Luzon with 65-kilometer per hour winds near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.

“The tropical storm is expected to weaken to a tropical depression within the next 24 to 36 hours [Wednesday or Thursday],” Pagasa meteorologist Aldczar Aurelio said.

Aurelio said it was more likely the storm would weaken and dissipate into an LPA in the next two days, rather than make landfall in Aurora on Friday.

He said the cyclone will not affect southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, while the Visayas and Mindanao will experience isolated rains during the week.

Aurelio said the cold winds of the northeast monsoon weakened the storm.

This is the second cyclone to enter the PAR this year, after Tropical Storm “Amang” (international name: Mekkhala) which battered Samar, Leyte and Bicol at the height of Pope Francis’ visit on Jan. 15 to 19.