By Christine Fabro
Tropical Storm “Fabian” is slightly intensifying while moving north northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a bulletin on Sunday (July 18) at 5:00 p.m.
Based on the weather bulletin, Fabian’s center was estimated to be at 1,095 km (kilometers) east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon (23.0°N, 132.2°E).
Its maximum sustained winds are at 75 kph (kilometers per hour) near the center, gustiness of up to 90 kph, and central pressure of 996 hPa (hectoPascals).
PAGASA said the tropical storm is unlikely to bring heavy rainfall in the country throughout the forecast period.
“Fabian will remain far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period. The tropical cyclone is forecast to move northwestward in the next 24 hours, and will exit the northern boundary of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday (July 19) evening or Tuesday (July 20) morning,” PAGASA said.
“Due to the uncertainty of the track, a southward shift of the track of Fabian may increase the likelihood of re-entering the PAR,” it added. – jlo