2 areas still under Signal No. 1 as Fabian maintains strength

Batanes and Babuyan Islands remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 late Thursday morning as Typhoon Fabian maintained its strength and moved slowly west southwestward, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale conditions) will be experienced over Batanes and Babuyan Islands throughout the passage the typhoon," PAGASA warned.

"Occasional gusty conditions will prevail over the rest of Luzon especially in coastal and mountainous areas due to Southwest Monsoon."

Though Fabian is unlikely to directly bring heavy rainfall in the country, PAGASA said it is enhancing the southwest monsoon rains in the following areas:

• Ilocos Region,
• Abra,
• Benguet,
• Zambales,
• Bataan,
• Tarlac,
• Pampanga,
• Bulacan,
• Metro Manila,
• Cavite,
• Batangas,
• southern Quezon,
• Occidental Mindoro,
• Oriental Mindoro,
• Marinduque,
• Romblon,
• northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands

As of 10 a.m., Fabian was estimated based on all available data at 525 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 955 hPa. It was moving west southwestward Slowly.

Meanwhile, occasional gusty conditions will be experienced over the rest of Luzon especially in coastal and mountainous areas due to the southwest monsoon.

Rough to very rough seas are expected over the northern, western, and eastern seaboards of Luzon including the areas under Signal No. 1

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

The state weather bureau reminded that Gale Warning #5 has been issued at 5 a.m. on Thursday.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News