Tropical Cyclone Ofel weakened into a severe tropical storm moving northwestward through the Luzon Strait, according to PAGASA on Friday.
The weather bureau’s 11 AM bulletin reported that STS Ofel is located 215 km northwest of Calayan, Cagayan, or 195 km west of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and gusts of up to 135 km/h.
Batanes is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, with winds posing a minor to moderate risk to life and property.
Meanwhile, TCWS No.1 is hoisted in the following areas:
- The northern portion of Cagayan
- Babuyan Islands
- the northern portion of Apayao
- the northern portion of Ilocos Norte
STS Ofel is set to move north-northwestward and could exit the northwestern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon.
The tropical cyclone will continue to move northward outside PAR until early tomorrow morning (November 16), over the sea west of Batanes.
It may re-enter PAR as it turns northeast toward southern Taiwan, where it will remain until the end of the forecast period.
The next update on the tropical cyclone will be provided at 5:00 PM today.
