TD Ester set to exit after brief stay in PAR

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Ester is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) after a brief stay, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Ester developed into a tropical depression and entered PAR at 3 p.m. yesterday.

Based on the latest satellite image taken at 4 p.m., the weather disturbance was located 250 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes.

The cyclone was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 55 kph. It was moving east-northeastward at 15 kph and is forecast to leave PAR early today.

As of yesterday, Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes.

Despite its expected exit, Ester continued to enhance rainfall over parts of Northern and Central Luzon.

An orange rainfall warning was raised over Pangasinan, La Union and Zambales, where 100 to 200 millimeters of rain were expected until the afternoon.

A yellow rainfall warning was in effect over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet, Bataan and Batanes, where 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall were forecast.

The weather bureau said Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales would remain under a yellow rainfall warning from yesterday afternoon until this afternoon.

Meanwhile, PAGASA announced the suspension of its heat index bulletin as the rainy season begins. The bulletin will resume on March 1, 2027.