PAGASA: 'Dodong' now a storm, to exit PHL before noon Friday

Tropical cyclone "Dodong" intensified into a tropical storm early Friday as it continued to move towards China, with state weather forecasters predicting it will leave Philippine territory before noon. But the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Dodong will still cause rains in parts of Luzon as it will enhance the southwest monsoon. "Lumakas ang bagyong si 'Dodong' pero huwag tayo mag-alala dahil ito ay lalabas ng Philippine area of Responsibility ngayong umaga," PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. Quitlong also said Filipinos can expect good, and even warm, weather by Saturday. He said all storm signals have been lowered, but the southwest monsoon will bring rains to the western parts of Luzon.

As of 4 a.m., PAGASA said Dodong was 280 km west northwest of Dagupan City or 300 km west southwest of Laoag City, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was moving north northwest at 15 kph. By Saturday morning it is expected to be 440 km west of Basco, Batanes, PAGASA said. New potential cyclone spotted Quitlong said weather forecasters are monitoring a potential cyclone but it is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). He did not give further details, but said "Mga dalawang araw bago ito makapasok ng PAR." Meanwhile, PAGASA said rains also loom over Mindanao due to an inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), adding that flash floods and landslides may also occur in Eastern Mindanao. — LBG, GMA News