Fabian remains ‘almost stationary,’ maintains strength

Severe Tropical Storm Fabian remained almost stationary while maintaining its strength, PAGASA said Monday.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said Fabian was located 1,075 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon at 4 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 115 kph, and central pressure of 985 hPa.

PAGASA said Fabian is unlikely to bring heavy rainfall in the country throughout the forecast period.

Under the influence of the southwest monsoon that is being enhanced by Fabian and the Tropical Storm CEMPAKA estimated at 945 km west of extreme Northern Luzon, PAGASA said monsoon rains will be experienced in the next 24 hours over Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.

PAGASA said hoisting of any tropical cyclone wind signal over any land area in the country remains unlikely. However, residents and disaster managers in Batanes and Babuyan Islands are advised to continuously monitor the tropical cyclone bulletins as any further southward shift in the orientation of the track forecast may result in the hoisting of TCWS #1 over these areas.

In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.1 meters) may be experienced over the western seaboard of Palawan including Kalayaan Islands.

"Mariners of small seacraft are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA said.

Further, in the next 12 hours, PAGASA said Fabian will begin to move generally west northwestward. Due to the southward shift in the orientation of the track, the tropical cyclone may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday afternoon or evening.

Fabian is forecasted to further intensify and reach typhoon category by Tuesday afternoon or evening. Peak intensity may be reached by Wednesday evening or Thursday early morning. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News