Luis exits PAR as severe tropical storm

State weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday said Tropical Storm Luis has intensified into a severe tropical storm but has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Luis became a severe tropical storm at 8 a.m. and exited the PAR at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The severe tropical storm is “unlikely” to directly affect the weather condition and bring rough seas over the coastal waters in the country within the forecast period, according to PAGASA.

As of 10 a.m., Luis was located at 1,130 kilometers east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 100 km per hour with gustiness of up to 125 km/h and central pressure of 990 hPa. It also has strong winds that extend outwards up to 290 km from the center.

It was moving northward at 20 km/h.

Luis is forecast to continue moving northward or north northeastward through Friday evening before turning northeastward or east northeastward for the remainder of the forecast period, PAGASA said.

It may also further intensify while moving over the sea east of the Ryukyu Islands and reach typhoon category within 24 hours, it added. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News