PAGASA: 'Maring' accelerates east-southeast; Luzon dam opens 1 gate

 News
Aug 162013
 
Tropical Depression Maring slightly accelerated as it moved east-southeast Saturday morning, state weather forecasters said.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said Storm Signal No. 1 over Batanes province in Extreme Northern Luzon has been lifted.

“Nguni’t inaasahan pa rin ang moderate to heavy na ulan,” PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Moreover, he said Maring will still enhance the southwest monsoon.

PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m., Maring was estimated at 270 km northeast of Itbayat town in Batanes.

It packed maximum winds of 55 kph near the center and is forecast to move east-southeast at 11 kph.

Maring is expected to be 510 km east of Itbayat, Batanes by Sunday morning, and 740 km northeast of Itbayat by Monday morning.

By Tuesday morning, it is expected to be at 960 km northeast of Itbayat.

PAGASA said Maring may bring rain of 5 to 10 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within is 300-km diameter.

It added the southwest monsoon enhanced by Maring may bring moderate to heavy rain showers and thunderstorms over the western section of Luzon.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Magat Dam in Isabela opened one gate at one meter.

It said that as of 11 a.m., Magat’s water level was at 192.16 meters. Its maximum water level is 193 meters. — LBG, GMA News

Summer is almost here, but don't discount cyclones yet —PAGASA

 News
Mar 042013
 
Summer is almost here, but don't discount cyclones yet —PAGASA

Satellite image at 7 a.m., 4 March 2013. | Weather Central Just because summer is coming may not necessarily mean there will be no cyclone this month, state weather forecasters said Monday. PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said in a radio interview that “zero to one” cyclone is expected this month in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). “Meron tayong zero or one, there is a chance,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. The next cyclone to enter the PAR will be codenamed “Dante,” the fourth cyclone to enter the area this year. The Philippines is finally looking forward to summer, as the northeast monsoon that brought cold weather to parts of the country continues to weaken. Loiz said the official announcement of summer may come as early as next week. But he said the northeast monsoon will make a “final surge” before finally bowing out in favor of the hot summer season. “Ang analysis namin sa China and ibang parte, medyo pahina na ang amihan. Pero nagkaroon ng surge pero inaasahan natin ang paglakas ng amihan bago mawala na,” he said. — TJD, GMA News