'Quiel' weakens; new potential cyclone enters PHL

Typhoon Quiel (Nalgae) weakened and slowed slightly and it is expected to exit Philippine territory Sunday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Sunday morning. But PAGASA has also started tracking a new potential cyclone, a low-pressure area (LPA), that has entered Philippine territory. "Quiel' slowed down and weakened and might exit Philippine territory Sunday afternoon," PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said PAGASA had expected Quiel to exit Philippine territory between 7 and 9 a.m. Sunday, but it slowed down due to cold air from Mainland China. As of 4 a.m., he said Quiel was estimated at 200 km west of Baguio City, with maximum winds of 130 kph and gustiness of 160 kph. It was moving west at 20 kph. Under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

- Ilocos Norte - Ilocos Sur - La Union - Benguet - Zambales - Pangasinan

Meanwhile, Galang said the new LPA was spotted 700 km east of Visayas. He said the disturbance will be codenamed "Ramon" if it becomes a cyclone. "It is too early to say what areas it will affect," he added. — LBG, GMA News