PAGASA: Domeng stronger, will continue to enhance Habagat

Tropical Storm Domeng became even stronger while it continued to move northward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA reported Friday.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the tropical storm was likely to develop into a severe tropical storm in the next 36 hours.

The center of Domeng was last seen 975 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph while heading northward at 15 kph.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently hoisted for the tropical storm as it does not have a direct effect over the archipelago.

However, Tropical Storm Domeng and Severe Tropical Storm Chaba — currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) — will enhance the prevailing Southwest Monsoon which will continue to affect the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon.

The enhanced Southwest Monsoon will likewise bring occasionally gusty conditions reaching strong breezes to gale-force in strength over Extreme Northern Luzon, the northern and western portions of Luzon, and the western portion of Visayas.

A Gale Warning also remains in effect over the western seaboards of Luzon while moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the remaining seaboards of Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau also said.

Under the alert warning, fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while large sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

“Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” the agency said.

According to PAGASA, Domeng  is forecasted to gradually accelerate northward or north-northwestward Friday to Saturday, July 2, then northwestward for the rest of the day.

It is expected to exit PAR Saturday afternoon. Outside the  region, Domeng is expected to pass very close or over the Ryukyu Islands in Japan Saturday evening before turning north northwestward on Sunday, July 3 as it moves over the East China Sea. —NB, GMA News