Typhoon Cempaka exits PAR amid northeast monsoon

Typhoon Cempaka (international name) has departed from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) while the northeast monsoon brings gusty winds to most parts of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday.

“Based on our latest satellite animation, Typhoon Samuel (local name) exited PAR at around 4:00 p.m.,” Charmagne Varilla said during a 5:00 p.m. press briefing.

This means its stay in PAR lasted less than 12 hours, as it had only entered the area at around 8:40 a.m.

Cempaka was last located 1,415 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon and has slightly intensified, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 160 kph.

“It is no longer expected to directly affect or make landfall in any part of the country,” Ms. Varilla said, adding that it is expected to move further away.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will bring strong, gale-force gusts to most parts of the country over the next 24 hours, PAGASA said.

Affected areas include most of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Sarangani.

These wind conditions are likely to persist in these areas until Tuesday. — Edg Adrian A. Eva