Pagasa: ‘Frank’ continues move toward southern China

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Frank" (Fengshen) continued to move farther away from the Philippines Monday morning and is now heading toward Southern China, state weather forecasters said. In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Frank" was 230 kilometers west northwest of Dagupan City as of 4 a.m. But it added "Frank" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains to Southern Luzon and Visayas. "Typhoon 'Frank' will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring rains over the Western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said. "Frank" packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, and was moving west northwest at 17 kph. On Tuesday morning, it is expected to be 450 km west northwest of Laoag City. By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 570 km northwest of Basco, Batanes. By Thursday morning it is expected to be 640 km north northwest of Basco, Batanes or 230 km west northwest of Taipei, Taiwan. Under Storm Signal 2 are Western Pangasinan, Northern Zambales and La Union. Under Signal 1 are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet, rest of Pangasinan, rest of Zambales, and Tarlac. Pagasa advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under typhoon signals to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. It also advised those living in coastal areas under signals 1 and 2 against big waves or storm surges generated by "Frank." Northern Zambales, Western Pangasinan and La Union will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas. The rest of western sections of Central and Northern Luzon will have rains with gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. The western section of Southern Luzon will have monsoon rains while the rest of southern, central and Northern Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Western section of Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas. - GMANews.TV