Habagat enhanced by Ester, Songda to bring rain over parts of southern Luzon, Visayas

Tropical Depression Ester maintains its strength while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea, according to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued by PAGASA late Friday evening.

In the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon enhanced by Ester and Tropical Storm Songda,  which is outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over several provinces in the western sections of southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas.

The center of the eye of Tropical Depression Ester was estimated 800 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph and moving northwestward at 10 kph.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently hoisted for this tropical cyclone.

Ester and the southwest monsoon will bring moderate to rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of the country, making conditions risky for small seacrafts.

Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

Track and Intensity Outlook

Tropical Depression Ester is forecast to move generally northward to north northwestward throughout the forecast period and may exit the PAR Saturday afternoon.

Outside the PAR region, the tropical cyclone is forecast to pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands on Saturday evening. -- BAP, GMA News