Typhoon ‘Pepito’ (Man-Yi) weakened into a severe tropical storm over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the state weather bureau said on Monday.
According to the latest 11 AM advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Severe Tropical Storm ‘Pepito’ is moving west northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Its center was last estimated at 270 km west of Batac, Ilocos Norte.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is raised over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the western portion of Pangasinan, and the western portion of Abra.
The weather disturbance is expected to continue moving west northwestward today over the West Philippine Sea until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this noon or afternoon. Outside the PAR region, the tropical cyclone will turn more westward or west southwestward tomorrow under the influence of an incoming northeasterly wind surge.
“Pepito will continue to weaken as it moves over the West Philippine Sea due to the incoming northeasterly wind surge creating an unfavorable environment. This tropical cyclone may become a remnant low on Wednesday,” PAGASA said.
