Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Typhoon Butchoy (international name: Nepartak) continues to intensify but is unlikely to hit the Philippines directly as it blew over waters northeast of the country Wednesday, the weather bureau said.
Storm Signal No. 1 has been raised over the Batanes group of islands, the closest part of the country that it may pass later in the week, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Packing maximum winds of 210 kph and gusts of up to 245 kph, the powerful typhoon was spotted at 4 p.m. about 615 km east of Basco, Batanes. It was moving northwest at 30 kph.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon at this time.
PAGASA warned of strong monsoon winds starting Thursday, while average to heavy rainfall may affect the western part of Southern Luzon and Western Visayas.
Heavy rains are expected on Friday over Luzon, particularly Palawan, Mindoro, Metro Manila, Bataan, and Zambales.
PAGASA predicts the typhoon will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday and head on to Taiwan.
Start of La Niña
Also on Wednesday, PAGASA announced the end of El Niño and started monitoring the possible occurrence of La Niña beginning August.
El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average temperatures while La Niña will bring excessive rainfall.
The weather bureau said the most intense rains brought by La Niña may be experienced from November to January.
CNN Philippines’ Camille Abadicio contributed to this report.
