The state weather bureau on Thursday said Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Hanna, known by its international name Haikui, has maintained its strength while over the Philippine Sea.

According to PAGASA, the center of the eye of Hanna was seen at 1,225 kilometers (km) east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 4AM.

The STS is packed with maximum sustained winds of 195 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph and is traveling west northwestward at the speed of 20 kph.

FORECAST TRACK

“HANNA is forecast to move generally west northwestward or northwestward at a fairly consistent speed throughout the forecast period,” the state weather bureau said.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is hoisted due to Hanna.

PAGASA noted that Hanna will remain far from the country’s landmass and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday afternoon or evening.

But the state weather bureau said Hanna alongside Super Typhoon Goring (which is outside PAR) will enhance southwest monsoon or habagat, and cause occasional monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon in the next three days.

HEAVY RAINFALL

Heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is expected over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and the western portions of Pangasinan and Apayao.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, and Calamian Island will also experience heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 mm on Friday.

SEVERE WINDS

Enhanced habagat will likewise cause gusty conditions over the areas of Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas on Thursday and Friday.

HAZARD AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS

Gale warning is raised in seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due rough sea caused by enhanced habagat.