Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) — Strong rains will last until the weekend, weather officials forecasted, as tropical storm “Hanna” is expected to intensify further in the next two days and leave the country by Friday. However, the southwest monsoon or habagat may still bring bad weather even after Hanna’s exit.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday, Hanna may develop into a severe tropical storm within 24 hours. It will then intensify into a typhoon by Wednesday.
Hanna is currently enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat and will bring moderate to heavy monsoon rains to northern Palawan (including Clamian and Cuyo Islands), Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, and Western Visayas from today until Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and the rest of MIMAROPA and Visayas will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.
Hanna is the first of at least two, and at most four expected storms to arrive in the country in August. It is unlikely that it will hit land, PAGASA said. PAGASA is also monitoring a low pressure area currently outside of the country. However, there is a slim chance it will develop into a tropical depression.
Hanna’s center was last spotted 875 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan carrying maximum center winds at 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts at 105 kph. It was moving north northwest at 15 kph.
A gale warning is up in the following areas
Pangasinan
Zambales
Bataan
Batangas
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Palawan
Marinduque
Romblon
Quezon including Polilio Island
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Albay
Sorsogon
Masbate including Ticao and Burias
Antique
Aklan
Capiz
Iloilo
Guimaras
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Siquijor
Bohol
Cebu
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Dinagat Islands
Siargao Island
Surigao Provinces
Davao Oriental
Sea travel is discouraged in these areas due to rough seas.
