Jenny intensifies slightly; Batanes under Signal 1

Severe Tropical Storm Jenny intensified slightly as it moved northwestward over the Philippine Sea, with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 hoisted over the Batanes, PAGASA said in a Sunday afternoon bulletin.

According to PAGASA's 5 p.m. bulletin, Jenny was estimated to be 760 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan moving northwestward at 15 kph.

Jenny had maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center, gustiness of up to 125 kph, and central pressure of 985 hPa.

PAGASA said strong to storm-force winds may extend outwards up to 500 kilometers from the storm's center.

Jenny was expected to bring heavy rain over mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quezon including Polillo Island, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar from Sunday to Monday afternoon.

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, heavy rain could be expected over the Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, and Isabela.

"Jenny will [also] continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the next 3 days," PAGASA said.

On Monday, Jenny was expected to bring moderate to rough seas (2.0 to 4.0 meters) over the coastal waters of Extreme Northern Luzon and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan.

PAGASA advised mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

A high possibility of hoisting a Gale Warning for these coastal waters in the coming days was also expected.

"Jenny is forecast to move generally northwestward until Tuesday morning before turning west-northwestward over the rest of Tuesday towards the Luzon Strait and generally westward on Thursday," PAGASA added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News