Typhoon Karen strengthens; potential cyclone brewing off Zambales

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image

MANILA, Philippines -Typhoon Karen strengthened a bit as it moved northwest, while a new potential cyclone was spotted off Zambales, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

Karen was last seen740 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. It is forecast to move northwest at 15 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Meanwhile, the low pressure area was estimated at 580 km west of Iba, Zambales.

Occasional moderate to heavy rains will be experienced in Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Central Luzon, Bicol region and Eastern Visayas will be cloudy with scattered light to moderate rains. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy with isolated rains or thunderstorms in the evening, Pagasa said.

Metro Manila will be cloudy with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest and Manila Bay will be moderate to rough.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.