Tropical storm Falcon enters PAR, remains far from landmass – Pagasa

TROPICAL storm Falcon (international name: Khanun) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is forecast to move north-northwestward while over the Philippine sea and far from landmass, the state-run weather bureau said, Saturday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Falcon is forecast to steadily intensify and become a typhoon or severe typhoon by Sunday afternoon and may reach its peak intensity after exiting the country by Monday afternoon or evening.

“Based on the latest track of Pagasa, Falcon is not likely to make landfall and there is a low chance to hoist wind signals for now as it continues to move westward. However, the cone of probability which means its track may change is not ruled out,” Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja said.

Falcon was seen some 1, 360 kilometers east of Central Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 80 kph, as of

4 a.m.

Pagasa said Falcon is the sixth storm to enter the country and third for the month of July.

According to Pagasa, the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Typhoon “Egay” may continue to prevail and may dump heavy rains over the country.

Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro, may expect 100 to 200 millimeters of accumulated rainfall today, Saturday.

Gusty conditions may also prevail due to the southwest moonsoon, especially in areas of Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, most of Calabarzon, Bicol Region and Western Visayas.

Gale warning is also up over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, Pagasa said.