By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
Super Typhoon (ST) “Betty” continues to move closer to Luzon and will bring some rains and strong winds in parts of the country on Saturday, May 27.
In its 4:00 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the eye of “Betty” was estimated at 1,345 kilometers east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h, moving west-northwestward at 25 km/h.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over Palawan, the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga, brought by the trough of ST “Betty” and the southwesterly wind flow.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms brought by the southwesterly wind flow and localized thunderstorms.
“Betty” is forecast to remain a super typhoon over the weekend and is seen to weaken faster beginning Monday or Tuesday during its slowdown period.
It is expected to bring heavy rainfall over Northern Luzon, especially the northern and western portions, on Monday through Wednesday.
“Betty” may also enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rainfall over the western portions of Southern Luzon and the Visayas on Monday.