Salome weakens into low-pressure area

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Salome lost strength and weakened to a low-pressure area (LPA) yesterday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said that as of 4 p.m. yesterday, the weather disturbance was spotted 145 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, moving southwest at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.

No tropical cyclone wind signals have been hoisted in any area earlier forecast to be affected by Salome.

However, PAGASA said the northeasterly windflow would continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

The weather bureau said that gusty condition may persist over Batanes, Cagayan and Ilocos Norte until tomorrow.

Rough sea conditions will prevail, particularly along the seaboards of Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan, where waves may reach up to four meters high.

Small sea vessels and motorized bancas have been advised to avoid sailing in these areas due to potentially hazardous conditions.

PAGASA said the intrusion of cold and dry air from the northeasterly windflow weakened Salome and the remaining low-pressure area would dissipate within the next 24 hours.