Typhoon Nona slightly weakens, but still a threat

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Nona slightly weakened and is now over the West Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5am bulletin Wednesday, December 16.

Nona was last spotted 125 kilometers northwest of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, moving west northwest at a slower 9 kilometers per hour (km/h).

Its winds are down to 130 km/h near the center, while gustiness is up to 160 km/h.

But estimated rainfall amount is still moderate to heavy within the 250-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

Storm warning signals remain raised over parts of Luzon.

Signal #3:

• northern Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island

Signal #2:

• Bataan
• Batangas
• Cavite
• northern Oriental Mindoro
• rest of Occidental Mindoro

Signal #1:

• Metro Manila
• Pampanga
• southern Zambales
• Bulacan
• Laguna
• Calamian Group of Islands
• rest of Oriental Mindoro

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides, particularly in the Mindoro provinces, Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Metro Manila.

Typhoon Nona is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday, December 18.

Meanwhile, forecasters are also monitoring a tropical depression outside PAR, which is about 1,425 kilometers east southeast of Mindanao. – Rappler.com