MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Saturday announced that Tropical Depression “Ester” has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
“Ester” departed the PAR at 8 a.m., according to the weather bureau.
Despite that, the southwest monsoon or “habagat” will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley.
“Ester is forecast to move generally northeastward over the East China Sea while maintaining its strength. Ester is expected to gradually intensify as it moves toward southern Japan,” the weather bureau said.
The center of “Ester,” as of posting time, was 550 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving east northeastward at 20 km per hour.
It had maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
