'Domeng' slightly gains strength as it stays over Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Domeng (international name: Jangmi) slightly intensified as it continued moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Saturday, May 30.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Domeng was estimated at 875 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, carrying peak winds of 100 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 125 kph and a central pressure of 990 hPa.

It was moving northwestward at 20 kph.

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

Strong winds, rains. PAGASA said the enhancement of the southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Domeng will 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, 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, Babuyan Islands, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.

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 eters 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, Eastern 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 expected to move generally 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 tonight or Sunday morning while over the Philippine Sea.