MANILA – Tropical Depression Carina has intensified into a tropical storm. At the same time, the Butchoy Tropical Depression exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of early morning on Sunday (21 July 2024) 3 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Butchoy was located 905 km west of Iba, Zambales (16.3ºN, 111.6ºE), moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Tropical Storm Carina’s peak winds have increased to 75 kph near the center, with gusts reaching up to 90 kph, as it moves west-northwestward at 10 kph. It was last observed 490 km east of Casiguran, Aurora.
Carina is expected to exit the PAR by Thursday. However, while it remains within the country, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” bringing rains over the next three days.
For Sunday’s forecast, the southwest monsoon, enhanced by the tropical storm, is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over western Luzon, particularly in Antique, Occidental Mindoro, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, La Union, and Northern Palawan including Cuyo, Calamian, and Kalayaan Islands.
Fair weather with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated rain showers or thunderstorms is expected in Metro Manila, Mindanao, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, the rest of Visayas, and the rest of Mimaropa. Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The Visayas, Mindanao, and the western sections of Luzon will experience moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas.
The rest of Luzon will have light to moderate winds and slightly moderate coastal waters.
(el Amigo/mnm)
