The province of Batanes remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Typhoon Betty further weakens while moving slowly over the province, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday.
In its 5 AM weather bulletin, PAGASA said the eye of Typhoon Betty was last seen 320 kilometer East of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and central pressure of 970 hPa.
It is moving North northwestward and is expected to move further northeastward on Thursday evening or Friday morning.
According to the state weather bureau, Signal No. 1 is still hoisted in the following areas in Luzon:
- Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
- The northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, San Mariano, Dinapigue,
- Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Quirino, Divilacan, Gamu, Maconacon, Naguilian, Mallig)
- The eastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Piddig, Bangui, Vintar, Marcos, Pagudpud, Banna, Adams, Carasi, Dingras, Solsona, Dumalneg, Nueva Era)
- Apayao
- The northern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Rizal)
- The northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong)
PAGASA said Betty may be downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Wednesday evening or tomorrow morning and may be further downgraded to a tropical storm by Friday.
Typhoon Betty is forecasted to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday evening or Friday morning.
"Outside the PAR, the tropical cyclone will pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of central Ryukyu Islands by mid-Friday (e.g., Okinawa Is.)," it said.