Ruby now a tropical depression

MANILA, Philippines – Ruby (international name: Hagupit) weakened further and has been downgraded into a tropical depression, the state weather agency said.

In its 5am bulletin on Tuesday, December 9, weather bureau PAGASA said Ruby is estimated to be some 80 km southwest of Ambulong, Tanauan City, Batangas or around 90 km west northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. 

It is packing maximum winds of 60 km/h, and is forecast to move west at 13 km/h with a northeast monsoon affecting Northern Luzon. 

Ruby is expected to make its fifth landfall over Lubang Island between 5am to 6 am Tuesday. 

Moderate to heavy rains are expected within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.

Public storm warning signal number 1 has been raised over Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island.

These areas will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. 

Meanwhile, the rest of Central Luzon and CALABARZON, Bicol region and MIMAROPA will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. The Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos regions will experience cloudy skies with light rains.

Visayas and Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy, having isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Tropical depression Ruby is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Wednesday evening, December 10.

Seafarers should note that moderate to strong winds from the northeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to southeast will be over the rest of the country, bringing moderate to rough seas. – Rappler.com