Obet slightly intensifies as it approaches Luzon Strait

Three areas remained under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Obet slightly intensified while moving westward towards the Luzon Strait, according to weather bureau PAGASA on Friday.
 
In its 2 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Obet was located 140 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.
 
The tropical depression had maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

It was moving westward at 20 km/h with strong winds extending outwards up to 220 km from the center.

The following areas were placed under Signal No. 1: 

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)

PAGASA said moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and mainland Cagayan on Friday until Saturday morning. 
 
The weather bureau said light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte. 
 
It warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards under these conditions.
 
Meanwhile, a marine gale warning remains in effect over the shores of Northern Luzon under the influence of the surge of the Northeast Monsoon. 
 
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said the combined effects of the surge of the Northeast Monsoon and the approaching tropical cyclone may also bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Central Luzon (1.5 to 3.5 meters) and the western and eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon (1.2 to 3.0 meters).

Seafarers and mariners were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.
 
PAGASA said Obet is forecast to track generally westward until Saturday and its center is likely to pass over or very close to Batanes between this Friday afternoon and evening.
 
Obet will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning or afternoon, the weather bureau said.
 
“Obet is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach [a] tropical storm category between tonight and tomorrow morning, although the possibility of a slightly earlier intensification to [a] tropical storm category is not ruled out,” it added. — VBL, GMA News