Tropical Depression Ester develops; Signal No. 1 up over Batanes

MANILA, Philippines — A low pressure area northwest of Batanes developed into Tropical Depression Ester early Thursday, June 5, with PAGASA raising Signal No. 1 over Batanes and warning of heavy rain in parts of Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said Ester was last spotted 225 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

The cyclone was moving northeastward at 20 kph. Strong winds extend up to 280 kilometers from its center.

PAGASA said Batanes was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, where strong winds of 39 to 61 kph may be felt within 36 hours. The possible impact is minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Rain, monsoon winds

Ester and the southwest monsoon will bring heavy rainfall to parts of Northern Luzon, the weather bureau warned.

Ilocos Sur and La Union may receive 100 to 200 millimeters of rain Thursday, while Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet and Zambales may see 50 to 100 mm.

On Friday, June 6, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet and Zambales may experience 50 to 100 mm of rain.

By Saturday, June 7, rainfall of 50 to 100 mm may affect Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

PAGASA said rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas, while impacts may worsen in places that already received significant rainfall.

The southwest monsoon may also bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon on Thursday. On Friday, strong gusts may affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Occidental Mindoro.

Rough seas

PAGASA warned of rough seas over the western seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands, where waves may reach up to 4 meters, and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte, where waves may reach up to 3.5 meters.

Waves may also reach up to 3 meters over the remaining seaboards of Batanes and Ilocos Norte and the seaboard of Ilocos Sur.

Small seacraft, including motorbancas, were advised not to venture out to sea in these areas.

Ester is forecast to move northeastward and make landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan on Thursday. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning before heading toward southern Japan.

PAGASA said Ester may maintain its strength while crossing southern Taiwan, then gradually intensify and reach tropical storm category by Friday over the East China Sea.