'Luis' exits Philippines Monday morning

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Luis" is now outside the Luzon landmass and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility this morning, the state weather bureau said.

In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the typhoon was located at 100 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City at 4 a.m.

Luis is packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.

Now over the West Philippine Sea, Luis is expected to move west northwest at 30 kph.

Public storm warning signals are still hoisted over several areas:

Signal No. 3
Ilocos Norte

Signal No. 2
Cagayan
Babuyan
Calayan Group of Islands
Apayao
Kalinga
Abra
Mt. Province
Ilocos Sur

Signal No. 1
Isabela
Ifugao
Nueva Vizcaya
Benguet
La Union
Pangasinan
Batanes Group of Islands

PAGASA said residents in low lying and mountainous areas under all the storm signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signals no. 3 and 2 are alerted against storm surges of up to two meters.

Heavy to intense rainfall amount (8 to 20 millimeters per hour) is expected within the 500-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will have monsoon rains with moderate to strong southwesterly surface windflow due to the southwest monsoon or "habagat."

PAGASA said fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon and over the western and central seaboards of Visayas.

For more news and updates on Typhoon Luis, visit our weather page.