Super typhoon “Henry” slightly weakened while beginning to decelerate south southwestward over the Philippine Sea northeast of Batanes.
Its center was estimated at 400 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. Packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h, it was moving south southwestward at 15 km/h.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands.
PAGASA said “Henry” is forecast to weaken gradually as it begins to slow down or enters the quasi-stationary phase.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA also said the center of the eye of Henry was seen 400 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.
The weather bureau said the typhoon is moving south-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour.
PAGASA said on Thursday evening that moderate to heavy rains are expected over Batanes, with light to moderate and occasionally heavy rains possible over the Babuyan Islands.
It is forecast to rain moderate to heavy over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands on Friday.
By Saturday, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Batanes, with light to moderate and occasionally heavy rains expected over the Babuyan Islands.
Henry will also enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which will bring rains over the western section of Luzon beginning on Friday.
PAGASA said a gale warning is in effect for the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon.
Henry may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.