'Domeng' slightly gains strength while moving over Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Domeng slightly intensified as it continued moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said on Friday, May 29.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Domeng was spotted 1,265 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, carrying maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

It was moving northwestward at 15 kph.

Heavy rains. The weather bureau said Domeng remains unlikely to directly affect the country within the next 24 hours but it will enhance the southwest monsoon, which may bring heavy rains over the western portions of the Philippines beginning Sunday, May 31.

A weather advisory may be issued on Saturday, May 30, ahead of the expected rainfall.

PAGASA said that the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals over Extreme Northern Luzon is still unlikely but not ruled out, depending on changes in the storm’s track.

Strong winds. The enhanced southwest monsoon may bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas in the next few days:

• Saturday, May 30: Most of Visayas, Batanes, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque, Masbate, Albay, Sorsogon, 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, 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.

Sea conditions. PAGASA said sea conditions will range up to moderate, with waves reaching up to two meters along the eastern seaboards of Cagayan, Isabela, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Batanes, Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Davao Oriental.

Mariners of motorbancas and similar vessels were advised to exercise caution or avoid sea travel due to potentially rough conditions.

Track, intensity

Domeng is expected to continue moving generally northwestward until Sunday, May 31, before turning north northwestward to northeastward for the remainder of the forecast period.

The tropical cyclone is still unlikely to make landfall in the country and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday, June 1.

PAGASA said Domeng may reach typhoon category by Saturday while over the Philippine Sea before gradually weakening afterward.