PAGASA may raise storm signals over 3 areas due to Amang

What’s the weather like in your area? Tweet us the situation: Use #weatheralert and tag @rapplerdotcom

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) State weather bureau PAGASA said there is a possibility of raising public storm warning signals over 3 areas in the next 6 hours due to Tropical Storm Amang (international name Mekkhala). 

As of 4 pm Thursday, January 15, Amang was located 765 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

It will move west northwest at 19 km/h. A northeast monsoon is also affecting Luzon. 

“There is a possibility of raising public storm warning signals over Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Camarines Norte in the next 6 hours,” PAGASA said in its 5 pm bulletin Thursday. 

But chances are high Amang will not make landfall in the Philippines, the weather bureau earlier said. 

However, US weather station JTWC (Joint Typhoon Warning Center) has a grimmer forecast.

According to its warning graphic, Amang may traverse Eastern Visayas to Bicol and then to Manila before leaving the Philippine land mass.

PAGASA also issued on Thursday a special weather outlook for Metro Manila and Tacloban, in light of Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19.

Metro Manila

• January 15 to 17: generally good weather with passing light rains and light to moderate northeasterly winds
• January 18:  light rains and light to moderate winds, as Amang moves closer toward the eastern section of Southern Luzon
• January 19: cloudy skies, light rains, and moderate winds

Tacloban

• January 15 to 16: good weather with light rains and light winds
• January 17: light to moderate rains and moderate to strong winds due to Amang
• January 18: cloudy skies, light rains and moderate to occasionally strong winds
• January 19:  generally good weather with moderate winds

The tropical storm is expected to weaken as it moves closer toward the eastern seaboard of Samar. 

The next update on the weather condition in Metro Manila and Tacloban will be issued Friday morning, January 16. – Rappler.com