Tropical Storm Florita slightly intensified with 85kms winds

MANILA – Tropical Storm Florita slightly intensified as it continues to move slowly westward, the weather bureau said.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Florita” has a maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

Heavy too intense with at times torrential rains are expected over Cagayan, Isabela, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Zambales Monday night through Wednesday.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are also expected over the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Aurora, Quezon, Bataan, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

PAGASA also forecasts light to moderate with times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and the rest of Central Luzon.

The southwest monsoon or "habagat" will also bring rains over Western Visayas in the next 24 hours.

Winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted through the passage of “Florita”.

It said the tropical storm and “habagat” will also bring moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 2.8 m) over the western seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over Cagayan, the southern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin, Fuga, Dalupiri, Pamuktan, Barit, Mabag, Irao islands) Isabela, Quirino, the eastern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Ambaguio, Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi, Quezon, Bayombong, Bambang, Aritao, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu, Alfonso Castaneda); Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Buguias, Kabayan, Mankayan, Bokod, Atok), Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora).

TCWS No. 1 is also affecting many parts of Luzon as well as Visayas and Mindanao. (PNA)