‘Marilyn’ to bring rains across PH

MANILA, Philippines–Umbrellas up this Friday the 13th as Tropical Depression “Marilyn” will bring rains across the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

At a press briefing late on Thursday, Pagasa weather specialist Ariel Rojas said despite Marilyn’s distance from land, its broad circulation would bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, the weather system was estimated at 1,285 kilometers east of Aparri town in Cagayan province.

It packed maximum winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

It was moving west northwest at 25 kph.

Rojas said due to its wide circulation, Marilyn’s forecast track moved erratically as it made its way in the Philippine Sea.

However, it is still not expected to make landfall, even as it is seen to intensify into a tropical storm by the weekend.

If its speed and direction remain constant, Marilyn is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday afternoon.

Due to the weather system, gale warning was raised over the eastern and central seaboards of the Visayas and all seaboards of Mindanao.

Small boats are cautioned against going out to the sea, due to rough waters.