Tropical storm approaches Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Nuri was moving closer to the Philippines yesterday but the state weather bureau said it is not expected to directly affect any part of the country in the next two days.

Nuri was forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility last night. It will be locally named Paeng once inside the Philippine area of responsibility.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the tropical storm was spotted at 1,255 kilometers east of the Visayas, packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The weather disturbance was forecast to move west at 15 kph.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente told The STAR Paeng is unlikely to have a direct affect in any part of the country, based on its latest track.

However, he said light to moderate rains are expected over the Bicol region, Calabarzon and Eastern Visayas today.

Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos Region will experience partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The weather bureau said the coastal waters of Luzon will be moderate to rough. For other areas, the sea condition will be slight to moderate.