MANILA — Tropical Storm Josie (international name: Haishen) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Tuesday but is not expected to directly affect the country’s weather over the next several days, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the storm was located approximately 1,085 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas. Josie was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 80 kph while moving northwest at 25 kph.
The tropical storm’s strong to gale-force winds extend up to 480 kilometers from its center, but no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) has been raised anywhere in the country.
Although the cyclone is forecast to remain away from the Philippines, PAGASA said it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, bringing strong to gale-force wind gusts over several parts of Luzon, particularly along coastal and upland areas.
On Tuesday, the enhanced monsoon will affect the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro. By Wednesday, strong winds are expected over the Ilocos Region, Abra, Apayao, Zambales, Bataan, Batanes, and the Babuyan Islands. Similar conditions are forecast to continue Thursday over the Ilocos Region, Abra, Apayao, Batanes, and the Babuyan Islands.
PAGASA has also issued a gale warning over the western seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and Pangasinan, as well as the coastal waters of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union, where waves may reach up to 3 meters.
Small fishing boats and motor bancas are advised to remain in port, especially those operated by inexperienced mariners or using poorly equipped vessels.
Moderate to rough seas are likewise expected in other western coastal areas of Luzon, with wave heights ranging from 2 to 2.5 meters, prompting authorities to advise caution among operators of small vessels.
PAGASA said Josie is forecast to move northward until Wednesday before curving northeast and is expected to exit the PAR by Tuesday night or early Wednesday.
The weather bureau urged local disaster risk reduction offices and residents in hazard-prone communities to stay alert, monitor official weather updates, and follow evacuation instructions when necessary.
elamigo/xf
