Tropical Storm ‘Nona’ intensifies, slows down

Tropical Storm “Nona” (international name: Melor) gained strength but slowed down, the state weather bureau said on Saturday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

The storm was estimated at 795 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and forecast to move west northwest at 19 kilometers per hour.

Pagasa said northeast monsoon was affecting northern Luzon, while cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms would be experienced in Surigao and Dinagat Island.

Batanes, Calayan, and Babuyan Group of Islands will experience cloudy skies with light rains, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

“Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country,” the forecast added. “Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over extreme northern Luzon and the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas.”

No public storm warning signals have been raised in the recent advisory. YG/RC