Quinta weakens, speeds up; may exit PAR by Thursday

December 26, 2012 12:11pm

After making landfall at least six times in the Philippines, Tropical Cyclone Quinta (Wukong) has weakened into a tropical depression and is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) earlier than originally expected.

However, 13 areas still remain under storm signals.

Weaker, faster

"Si Quinta ay humina, ngayon tropical depression na lang," PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He also said that the weakened Quinta has accelerated and may exit the PAR by Thursday night. 

He said Quinta now has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and no more gustiness.

Duran said that, as of 10 a.m., Quinta was in the vicinity of Roxas City, Capiz, and moving west at 24 kph.

By Thursday morning, PAGASA expects Quinta to be 270 km west of Coron, Palawan, and to be outside the PAR by evening on the same day.

"(Expected na) lalabas ito ng PAR bukas ng gabi," Duran affirmed.

The forecast coincides with similar projections by GMA Weather:

Storm signals still up

Despite lowering most of its storm warning signals, PAGASA retained Public Storm Warning Signal #1 in 17 areas in Luzon and Visayas. These areas should expect winds of 45-60 kph is expected within the next 36 hours:

• Mindoro provinces
• Romblon
• Masbate
• Burias Island
• North Palawan including Calamian Islands
• Marinduque
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Antique
• Iloilo
• Negros provinces
• Cebu
• Guimaras

Despite Quinta's reduced strength, it still maintained its 350 km diameter, with estimated rainfall of about 5 to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy).

"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides," PAGASA said its 11 a.m. advisory.

"Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas and over the northern seaboard of Mindanao," it added. — TJD, GMA News