Weather: 'Kabayan' slows down; rains loom over PHL

Tropical storm “Kabayan" (international code name: Muifa) slowed down slightly but maintained its strength Friday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration also said the rest of the country may experience scattered rains and thunderstorms. As of 4 p.m., PAGASA said “Kabayan" was estimated at 820 km east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. PAGASA said “Kabayan" is forecast to move north-northwest at 11 kph. Meanwhile, PAGASA said “moderate to strong" winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the western section of Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over the eastern section of Visayas and of Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be “moderate to rough," it added. Elsewhere, winds will be “light to moderate" coming from the southwest to west with slight to moderate seas. Meanwhile, PAGASA said “strong to gale-force" winds may affect the western seaboard of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. “Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — JE, GMA News