Weather: 'Mina' virtually stationary off Catanduanes

Tropical Storm Mina (international code name Nanmadol) remained virtually stationary off Catanduanes even as it maintained its strength before noon Wednesday, state weather forecasters said. In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Mina was estimated at 390 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. Mina is expected to be 490 km east of Casiguran, Aurora Thursday morning; and 550 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Friday morning. By Saturday morning, it is expected to be 540 km east of Basco, Batanes. PAGASA said Mina is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring scattered to widespread rains over southern Luzon and the Visayas particularly over the western section. It said the estimated amount of rainfall is from 15 to 25 mm per hour within the 400-km diameter of Mina. Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said Mina was slowed down due to its interaction with a tropical cyclone just outside Philippine territory. She said that while the cyclone is not likely to enter Philippine territory, it has slowed Mina and kept it from exiting the Philippine area of responsibility. — RSJ, GMA News