Tropical Depression Ruby: Storm signals lowered

MANILA, Philippines – All storm warning signals have been lowered as Tropical Depression Ruby (Hagupit) moves toward the West Philippine Sea late Tuesday morning, December 9, government forecasters said.

As of 10 am Tuesday, Ruby’s center was located 135 km west northwest of Calapan City, and is currently carrying winds of up to 45 km/h near the center, state weather bureau PAGASA said in its latest severe weather bulletin, issued 11 am.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (5-15 mm/ h) can be experienced within the storm’s 200-km diameter, the bureau said.

All storm warning signals have been lowered, but areas in Mimaropa and Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, will still feel the storm’s effects, particularly cloudy skies and rain.

Despite this, the bureau said Ruby, along with the northeast monsoon, “will cause rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Luzon,” and has issued warnings to small seacraft not to venture out to sea.

Ruby is forecast to go towards the west, at a speed of 13 km/h, and is expected to move out of the PAR by Thursday, December 11.

Meanwhile, the bureau said it is monitoring another potential storm far out in the Pacific Ocean, at a distance of 2,000 km east of Mindanao, they said in a briefing past 11 am.

It is too early to tell yet if the cluster of clouds in the middle of the ocean could be a typhoon, but the bureau said they are monitoring the system closely.

As of Tuesday, the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) was hit by a total of 16 storms this year, out of which 8 made landfall on Philippine landmass.

The next bulletin on Ruby will be issued at 5 pm. – Rappler.com