Betty heads west, weakens slightly; strong winds expected over north Luzon

Super Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) was moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour on Saturday afternoon as it weakened slightly, and Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over 12 Luzon areas.

According to PAGASA's 5 p.m. weather bulletin, Betty was estimated to be 1,035 kilometers east of Central Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The following areas were under Signal No. 1 due to Betty:

•    Batanes
•    Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
•    Isabela
•    Apayao
•    Ilocos Norte
•    the northern and central portions of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Danglas, La Paz, Dolores, Tayum, Bucay, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Bucloc, Boliney)
•    Kalinga
•    the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis, Bontoc)
•    the eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Lagawe, Lamut, Kiangan, Asipulo)
•    the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)
•    Quirino
•    the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Solano, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde, Bayombong, Ambaguio)

PAGASA warned that strong winds would be experienced in areas under Signal 1.

Also, PAGASA said that the heavy rains would be experienced starting Monday and Tuesday.

The forecast accumulated rainfall from Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon was 100-200 milimeters in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur; and 50-100mm in La Union and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region.

Meanwhile, the forecast accumulated rainfall from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon was greater than 200mm in Batanes; 100-200 mm in Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union; 50-100 mm in Cordillera Administrative Region and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan.

The state weather bureau said forecast rainfall was generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas.

Meanwhile, a Marine Gale Warning was in effect over coastal ares under the influence of Betty. Specifically along the:

• northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon,
• eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, and
• eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.

In the next 12 hours, Betty is forecast to track westward before turning west-northwestward.

"Betty is forecast to remain as a super typhoon over the weekend. Although it will likely maintain its strength for the next 36-48 hours, short-term intensification is not ruled out, especially in the next 12 to 24 hours," PAGASA predicted.

"However, this tropical cyclone may weaken considerably on Monday or Tuesday during its slowdown over the waters east of Batanes due to potentially unfavorable conditions."

Meanwhile, the western sections of MIMAROPA, the Visayas, other areas not be directly affected by Betty could expect monsoon rains from the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

The enhanced Southwest Monsoon may also bring strong breeze to near gale conditions with intermittent gusts beginning on Sunday evening or early Monday over the Visayas, the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon, and the northern and western portions of Mindanao. — DVM, GMA Integrated News