Francisco weakens into severe tropical storm; rain showers expected

(Image from Pagasa / Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Francisco has weakened from a typhoon to a severe tropical storm as it continues to move away from the country on Thursday, the state weather bureau said.

In its latest briefing, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the center of Francisco was last located some 415 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

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Francisco is packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 125 kph while moving north-northeast at 15 kph.

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“At 2 a.m. today, Typhoon Francisco weakened further and was downgraded to a severe tropical storm,” Pagasa weather specialist Leanne Loreto said.

“Francisco is expected to exit our area of responsibility, possibly this afternoon or later tonight,” added Loreto.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes.

‘Habagat’ rains

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Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” remains the primary weather system affecting Luzon and parts of the Visayas.

Hence, occasional rains are expected over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

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Metro Manila, the Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas,Rizal, Quezon), Western Visayas, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.

Storm outside PAR

Meanwhile, Pagasa continues to monitor a tropical storm (international name: Higos) outside the Philippine area of responsibility some 1,750 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of early Thursday.

Pagasa said Higos still has no direct effect on the country’s weather.

“We expect it to continue moving west-northwest and only briefly enter the PAR tonight before exiting the country’s area of responsibility by tomorrow morning,” said Loreto. /gsg

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