Rains expected over parts of Luzon, Visayas as Ester continues to enhance Habagat

The Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Depression Ester and Tropical Storm “Songda” (outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility) is expected to bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over several provinces in the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, PAGASA said on Saturday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Ester has accelerated while moving westward over the Philippine Sea east of Extreme Northern Luzon.

However, no tropical cyclone wind signal was raised for the tropical cyclone.

Moderate to rough seas with waves reaching up to 1.2 to 2.8 meters tall are expected over the northern and eastern seaboards of the country due to Ester and the monsoon.

PAGASA said Ester is forecast to decelerate north northwestward in the next 12 hours and will gradually accelerate northward by Sunday early morning.

Based on the forecast track, Ester may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Sunday morning or afternoon.

The center or the eye of Ester was estimated based on all available data 550 km East of Itbayat, Batanes (21.4 °N, 127.1 °E ).

It is moving westward at 20km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. —KG, GMA News