'Vinta' slightly intensifies; continues westward direction

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

December 23, 2017, 9:29 am

MANILA -- Tropical Storm Vinta has slightly intensified as it continues moving westward at 20 km. per hour (kph) toward southern Palawan, the state weather agency said Saturday morning.

"Vinta" was last eyed at 210 km. west-northwest of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, or 285 km. southeast of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 95 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 8 a.m. weather bulletin.

Tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) no. 2 was raised over southern Palawan, and no. 1 over the rest of Palawan. TCWS no. 1 over the Zamboanga provinces has been lifted.

Sea travel remains risky over areas under TCWS, the southern seaboard of Mindoro, and western seaboard of Aklan and Antique.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Palawan, while scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains is expected over Bicol, Visayas, Mindanao, and the rest of Mimaropa within 24 hours, PAGASA said.

The bureau forecast “Vinta” to be 330 km. west-southwest of Puerto Princesa on Sunday and 425 km. west-southwest of Pagasa Island in Palawan, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, on Monday.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, on the other hand, will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains due to the northeast monsoon.

Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds would prevail over the entire archipelago with moderate to rough seas, PAGASA said. (PNA)

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