‘Tomas’ weakens into tropical storm

Tropical storm "Tomas" (international code name Trami) looked set to spare the typhoon-battered country as it weakened into a tropical depression before noon yesterday heading toward southern Japan and dissipating over the open sea.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said a cold front in the South China Sea has prevented Tomas from intensifying into a typhoon although it already entered the country’s area of responsibility.

"Storms do not want cold weather and cold sea temperatures," Cruz said.

The storm, with winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph, was spotted 1,210 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, moving north at seven kph but no longer posed a direct threat, Pagasa chief Nathaniel Cruz said.

It may move westward toward southern Japan or dissipate within the next day or two, according to Pagasa and Japan’s Meteorological Agency.

Cruz added they are constantly monitoring any "remnants" that may follow the storm but stressed this rarely happens in the prevalent weather conditions and temperatures.

Pagasa said the disturbance is expected to enhance moderate to strong northeasterly windflows over Luzon with moderate to rough seas. — Helen Flores, AP