Typhoon Betty Decelerates Over Sea East of Batanes

As Typhoon Betty continues to slowly move northward over the sea east of Batanes, it has put various regions in Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS). The typhoon, with its current center estimated at 315 km East of Basco, Batanes, and exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h and gustiness of up to 185 km/h, has prompted the issuance of TCWS No. 2 over Batanes and TCWS No. 1 over several areas in Luzon.

Location and Movement

As of 4:00 PM, the center of Typhoon Betty was estimated at 315 km East of Basco, Batanes (20.6°N, 125.0°E), moving slowly northward. Typhoon Betty exhibits maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 955 hPa. Strong to typhoon-force winds extend up to 630 km from the center.

Heavy Rainfall Outlook

The forecast accumulated rainfall from today to tomorrow afternoon is expected to be between 50-100 mm in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the western portions of Abra and Benguet. These conditions raise the possibility of flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards and have experienced significant rainfall in the past several days.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS)

TCWS No. 2

• Warning lead time: 24 hours
• Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property
• Areas under signal No. 2: Batanes (Luzon)

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TCWS No. 1

Areas under TCWS No. 1:

• The northern and eastern portions of Isabela including the following areas:
  • Santo Tomas
  • Santa Maria
  • Quezon
  • San Mariano
  • Dinapigue
  • Delfin Albano
  • San Pablo
  • Ilagan City
  • Benito Soliven
  • Tumauini
  • Cabagan
  • Palanan
  • Quirino
  • Divilacan
  • Gamu
  • Maconacon
  • Naguilian
  • Mallig
• Apayao
• The eastern portion of Ilocos Norte including the following areas:
  • Piddig
  • Bangui
  • Vintar
  • Marcos
  • Pagudpud
  • Banna
  • Adams
  • Carasi
  • Dingras
  • Solsona
  • Dumalneg
  • Nueva Era
• The northern portion of Kalinga including the following areas:
  • City of Tabuk
  • Balbalan
  • Pinukpuk
  • Rizal
• The northeastern portion of Abra including the following areas:
  • Tineg
  • Lacub
  • Malibcong
• Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands

Track and Intensity Outlook

Typhoon Betty is forecast to move slowly northward today until tomorrow over the waters east of Batanes. From Thursday, the typhoon is expected to accelerate north-northeastward and northeastward on Friday, heading towards the waters southeast of the Ryukyu Islands. Betty is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility late Thursday or early Friday morning.

The typhoon is predicted to steadily weaken over the next five days due to factors like cooler ocean waters, dry air intrusion, and increasing vertical wind shear. Betty may be downgraded to a severe tropical storm late Thursday or early Friday and further to a tropical storm late Friday or early Saturday.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11:00 PM today.

Read: What to do before, during, and after a Typhoon