Rosal to weaken to typhoon, bring stormy weather to Batanes Thursday

Super Typhoon Rosal may weaken into a typhoon by Thursday afternoon, according to PAGASA.

As of 4 a.m., Rosal had maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour with gustiness up to 240 kph.

It was located 495 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes and moving northwestward at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect in Batanes and northeastern Babuyan Islands.

Meanwhile, Wind Signal No. 1 is still up over

PAGASA said Signal no. 3 could be the highest wind warning that may be raised during Rosal’s passage.

The typhoon may make its closest approach to Batanes from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning. During this period, stormy weather will prevail in the province, along with heavy to intense rainfall.

Rosal will also bring moderate to heavy rains in Cagayan and Apayao, while scattered rains and gusty conditions may be experienced in Samar, Bicol Region, Aurora, the rest of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera, and most of Ilocos Region.

Meanwhile, the trough or extension of the typhoon will also bring scattered rains over Palawan, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

On the other hand, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to have warm and humid conditions, with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon or evening.

Rosal will remain offshore for the remainder of its stay inside the Philippine area of responsibility.

It will continue moving northwestward over the northern Philippines Sea and may recurve east of Taiwan before exiting the PAR by Friday evening or early Saturday morning.

The public is advised to continue monitoring updates on Super Typhoon Rosal as its forecast track and intensity will still change.

Apart from Rosal, no other weather disturbances are expected inside the PAR through the weekend.