Typhoon signals lowered as ‘Lawin’ moves away from PH

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image as of 6:32 p.m, 28 September 2012 . Image from pagasa.dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—Public storm warning signals were lowered as Typhoon “Lawin” (international name Jelawat) weakened and moved away from the Philippines Friday afternoon.

In Batanes Group of Islands, warning was downgraded to public storm signal number 1, while storm signals elsewhere were also lowered, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Services Administration said.

Moving north northeast at 17 kilometers per hour, Lawin packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gusts of up to 210 kph near the center.

It was last seen 365 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

The typhoon was forecast to be out of the Philippine territory or 720 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Saturday afternoon.

Heavy to intense rains were seen to be brought by Lawin, and will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon.

Fishing boats and other small vessels were still warned not to venture into the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon.