'Domeng' keeps strength while moving over Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Domeng (international name: Jangmi) maintained its strength while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said early Saturday, May 30.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Domeng was spotted 970 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 115 kph and a central pressure of 990 hPa.

The storm was moving west-northwestward at 15 kph.

Strong to gale-force winds extended outward up to 460 kilometers from the center of the storm.

Strong winds, rains. PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Domeng may bring strong to gale-force gusts over several areas in the coming days, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds:

• Saturday, May 30: Most of Visayas, Batanes, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
   
• Sunday, May 31: Most of Visayas, Batanes, Cagayan, Metro Manila, Bulacan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
   
• Monday, June 1: Most of Visayas, Batanes, Cagayan, Metro Manila, Bulacan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol Region.

PAGASA also warned of heavy rains due to the enhanced southwest monsoon and advised the public to monitor weather advisories that may be issued throughout the day.

Sea conditions. PAGASA said rough seas of up to 3.5 meters may prevail along the eastern seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

Waves of up to 3 meters may also affect the remaining seaboards of Batanes, the northern seaboard of Babuyan Islands and the eastern seaboards of Cagayan, Isabela and northern Aurora.

Moderate seas are expected over the remaining seaboards of Babuyan Islands, Cagayan and Aurora, as well as parts of Quezon, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Mariners of small seacrafts, including motorbancas, were advised not to venture out to sea under rough conditions.

Track, intensity. PAGASA said Domeng is forecast to move northwestward until Sunday before recurving toward southern Japan for the remainder of the forecast period.

The tropical cyclone remains unlikely to make landfall in the Philippines and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday, June 1.

Domeng is expected to intensify further and may reach typhoon category by Saturday evening or Sunday morning while over the Philippine Sea.