Severe Tropical Storm Gardo maintained its strength Friday morning as it continued moving north northwestward over the Philippine Sea and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) later today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5:00 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Gardo was estimated at 1,280 kilometers east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon.
The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 115 km/h. It was moving north northwestward at 25 km/h, with strong to storm-force winds extending up to 260 kilometers from its center.
Despite maintaining its strength, PAGASA said no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) has been raised over any part of the country as Gardo remains far from the Philippine landmass.
The state weather bureau said the cyclone is forecast to continue moving generally northward and is expected to leave PAR this morning or by noon before tracking toward southern Japan. Gardo is also forecast to weaken into a tropical storm later in the afternoon, although it may remain a severe tropical storm within the next 12 hours.
While the cyclone is not expected to make landfall, PAGASA warned that the southwest monsoon (Habagat), enhanced by Gardo, will continue to bring strong to gale-force wind gusts over most of Luzon on Friday. By Saturday, these conditions are expected to affect Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
PAGASA also advised mariners to remain cautious as rough seas of up to 3 meters are expected along the seaboard of Batanes. Small seacraft, including motor bancas, are advised not to venture out to sea due to hazardous conditions.
Meanwhile, moderate seas of up to 2.5 meters are forecast over the northern and western seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and the northern coast of Ilocos Norte. Wave heights of up to 2 meters are also expected along the remaining coasts of the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte, as well as the seaboards of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, Lubang Island, Kalayaan Islands, and the western coasts of Pangasinan, Bataan, and Batangas.
PAGASA reminded the public that heavy rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon may still occur in some areas and urged residents, local disaster officials, and mariners to continue monitoring official weather bulletins and advisories.
