PAGASA: Weather improving as 'Kabayan' due to exit Friday

While flash floods and landslides continue to threaten some parts of western Luzon, Filipinos can expect improved weather as Typhoon Kabayan (Muifa) is expected to exit Philippine territory Friday morning. On Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Metro Manila in particular can expect temperatures to go up as the weather improves. "Kung magpapatuloy ang bilis at galaw ito ay makakalabas ng Philippine area of responsibility bukas ng umaga. Dito sa NCR, maganda na ang panahon natin, partly cloudy na lamang ang nakikita natin ," PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. (If 'Kabayan' maintains its speed and course, we expect it to leave Philippine territory Friday morning. In Metro Manila we are already seeing improved weather conditions. We expect today to be partly cloudy.) He added the weather will get warmer in Metro Manila. Quitlong also said the low-pressure area off Ilocos, which had intensified into Tropical Depression Lando, made landfall in Ilocos and dissipated Wednesday. "Iinit na po, makakapatuyo na tayo ng damit (Expect the weather to be warm. We can now dry our clothes)," he said. Kabayan As of 4 a.m. Thursday, PAGASA said Kabayan was estimated 860 km east northeast of Basco, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph. It said Kabayan is forecast to move west-northwest at 13 kph. By Thursday evening, Kabayan is expected to be 735 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. By Friday evening, it is expected to be 605 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes. On Saturday morning it is expected to be 590 km north of Basco, Batanes or 425 km west of Okinawa, Japan. Flash floods, landslides PAGASA said the western section of southern Luzon will experience monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides while the Visayas and the rest of southern Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, it added in its 5 a.m. bulletin. Gale warning Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect the Northern and Eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. "Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — RSJ, GMA News