Typhoon Ompong weakens slightly; Signal 2 up over four areas

After cutting a swath of destruction across northern Luzon and killing at least three people, Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) weakened slightly as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday night, weather service PAGASA reported in an 11 p.m. bulletin.

At 10 p.m., Ompong was 395 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan, with 145 kilometer per hour winds and gusts of up to 180 kph.

Though the bulk of Ompong was outside the PAR, its tail or latter half was still within the area of responsibility.

Thus, Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal number 2 was still raised over:

• Ilocos Norte,
• Ilocos Sur,
• La Union, and
• the Batanes.

These areas would experience 61-120 kph winds, 4.1-14 meter open sea wave heights, and possible meter-high storm surges.

Signal 1 was also still up over:

• Bataan,
• Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands,
• Abra,
• Apayao,
• Kalinga,
• Mountain Province,
• Ifugao,
• Benguet,
• Pangasinan, and
• Zambales.

These areas would experience 30-60 kph winds, and 1.24-four meter open sea wave heights.

Ompong was also still enhancing the southwest monsoon, and scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rain could still be expected over the Western Visayas and Mimaropa Regions, with flooding and landslides a danger in these areas.

Finally, given that Ompong moving west-northwest at 25 kph, the typhoon would likely be 1,045 km west of Basco, Batanes and further away from the PAR. — DVM, GMA News