MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Josie (international name: Haishen) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is expected to weaken while moving northward, with a possible exit from PAR as early as Tuesday night, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5:00 a.m. bulletin on Tuesday, July 14, PAGASA said the center of Josie was estimated at 1,085 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 4:00 a.m., carrying maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour, gusts of up to 80 km/h, and moving northwestward at 25 km/h.
No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) has been raised anywhere in the country, although the storm's circulation extends up to 480 kilometers from its center.
While Josie remains far from the Philippine landmass, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will continue to bring strong to gale-force wind gusts, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to the prevailing winds.
For Tuesday, these gusty conditions are expected over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.
On Wednesday, July 15, strong winds may affect the Ilocos Region, Abra, Apayao, Zambales, Bataan, Batanes, and the Babuyan Islands, while on Thursday, July 16, similar conditions are forecast over the Ilocos Region, Abra, Apayao, Batanes, and the Babuyan Islands.
PAGASA said Josie will generally move northward until Wednesday before turning northeastward for the remainder of the forecast period, with the tropical storm expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
Forecasters also expect Josie to steadily weaken into a tropical depression within the next 12 hours and possibly further deteriorate into a low pressure area by Wednesday due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
PAGASA reminded the public that heavy rainfall and strong winds may still occur outside the forecast confidence cone and advised residents to continue monitoring official weather bulletins and follow the guidance of local authorities.
— The Summit Express
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