Typhoon Paolo maintains strength ahead of exit from PAR

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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Typhoon Paolo (Lan) maintained its strength on Saturday evening, October 21, as it continued to move away from the Philippines.

In its 11 pm bulletin on Saturday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Paolo is already 1,190 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, moving north northeast at 27 kilometers per hour (km/h).

The typhoon has maximum winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 225 km/h.

No areas were placed under tropical cyclone warning signals as Paolo has stayed far from land since it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as a tropical storm last Monday, October 16. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

Paolo, however, gradually strengthened inside PAR until it reached typhoon status, with its outer rainbands bringing rain across the Philippines. It now has an even wider diameter of 1,900 kilometers.

Though the typhoon is moving away, its outer rainbands will continue to trigger moderate to heavy rain in Palawan, Western Visayas, and Mindanao. Residents in these areas should remain on alert for flash floods and landslides. (READ: Heavy rain triggers floods in Dumaguete)

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will only have isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Coastal waters in the Philippines also remain moderate to rough.

Paolo is expected to leave PAR early Sunday morning, October 22.

– Rappler.com