Tropical Storm or Bagyong OFEL News Updates PAGASA

Synopsis: At 4:00 am today, the center of Tropical Storm “OFEL” was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 90 km East of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur (9.0°N, 127.5°E) with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 15 kph. Forecast: Southern Leyte, Dinagat Island, Agusan Del Norte, Northern Agusan Del Sur, Camiguin Island and the Surigao Provinces will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas. Samar Provinces, Leyte, Biliran Island, Bohol, Cebu including Camotes Island, Negros Provinces, Siquijor Island, Northern Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and the rest of Agusan Del Sur will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. Bicol Region, MIMAROPA and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rainshowers or thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms.  

Positions/Outlook: Thursday morning: vicinity of Roxas City Friday morning: 180 km West of Nasugbu, Batangas Saturday morning: outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility
	Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal PSWS # Luzon Visayas Mindanao Signal No. 2 (61-100 kph winds) None Bohol Cebu including Camotes Island and Leyte Provinces Dinagat Island Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Agusan Del Norte Northern part of Agusan Del Sur Camiguin Island Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) Masbate Romblon Northern Samar Eastern Samar Western Samar Biliran Capiz Antique Aklan including Boracay Island Iloilo Guimaras Island Negros Oriental Negros Occidental Siquijor Island Misamis Oriental Rest of Agusan Del Sur Northern part of Bukidnon

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and from the Northwest to Southwest over the rest of Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. (in Filipino) Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal (PSWS) #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides likewise those living in coastal areas under signal #2 are alerted of possible storm surges. Estimated rainfall amount is from 5 – 20 mm per hour (moderate – intense) within the 500 km diameter of the Tropical Storm. Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboards of Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to the combined effect of theTropical Storm “Ofel” and the Northeast Monsoon. The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 PM today.