Monsoon rains over parts of Luzon; Fabian maintains strength as it moves west

Typhoon Fabian maintained its strength as it continued to move westward, PAGASA said Wednesday.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the state weather agency said the center of the eye of Fabian was located 655 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes at 4 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 185 kph, and central pressure of 960 hPa. It is moving westward at 10 kph.

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

However, under the influence of the Southwest Monsoon being enhanced by Fabian and Tropical Depression Cempaka outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, monsoon rains will be experienced in the next 24 hours over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands).

PAGASA said the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Batanes and Babuyan Islands remains a possibility due to the uncertainty in the later portion of the track forecast of Fabian.

Further, rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 4.5 meters) will be experienced over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and the western seaboard of Palawan (including Kalayaan and Calamian Islands) and Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Islands).

Moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 m) will also prevail over the eastern and the rest of the northern and western seaboards of Luzon.

"Sea travel is risky for small seacraft over these waters. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor," PAGASA said.

PAGASA said Fabian will pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Yaeyama, Miyako, and Senkaku Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago on Friday before exiting PAR on Saturday morning.

Fabian is forecasted to further intensify and reach its peak intensity of 165 kph on Friday. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News