Signal No. 1 still up over Batanes as Dante passes close to Taiwan

]Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained over Batanes as Dante passed very close to the southern tip of mainland Taiwan and the nearby Orchid Island, PAGASA said Friday.

According to the 11 p.m. severe weather bulletin, Dante was last estimated at 160 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

It is moving east-northeastward at 35 kph.

Dante is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning or noon.

PAGASA said that Batanes will continue to experience strong winds within the next six hours. This will, however, gradually weaken as Dante moves away from the country.

A gale warning was also raised over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon due to rough seas.

“Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts over these waters. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor,” PAGASA said.

The next severe weather bulletin will be issued at 5 a.m. on Saturday.—LDF, GMA News