Perla intensifies, but seen to skirt Northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Perla (international name Neoguri) is no longer expected to hit Northern Luzon as it was forecast to move east-northeast away from the country, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) still advised those residing in extreme Northern Luzon to brace for occasional gusty conditions early next week.

“Based on latest available data, Perla is forecast to not cause significant high impact weather over extreme Northern Luzon due to changes in the forecast scenario,” PAGASA said.

“However, residents and disaster managers in extreme Northern Luzon are still advised to continue monitoring for updates,” it said.

Perla was earlier forecast to make landfall over Northern Luzon.

As of yesterday noon, Perla slightly intensified as it remained “almost stationary” over the Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin.

Bulquerin said the northeasterly windfall may still bring scattered rains over extreme Northern Luzon.

He also warned fishermen against sailing in the seaboards of Northern Luzon due to rough to very rough sea conditions associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, the center of Perla was estimated at 790 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Perla was forecast to be at 610 km east of Basco this morning; at 510 km east northeast of Basco tomorrow morning; at 595 km east northeast of Basco by Monday morning and 855 km east northeast of Basco by Tuesday morning.

By Wednesday morning, its center was projected to be at 1,100 km northeast of Basco or outside the Philippine area of responsibility.