Storm signals to be raised in Luzon for 'Lando'

MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA is set to raise public storm warning signals in eastern portions of northern and central Luzon on Thursday as Tropical Storm "Lando" (international name "Kuppo") maintains its strength.

At 4 a.m., Lando was located 1,185 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 80 kph. It is likely to move west at 22 kph.

Lando is forecasted to threaten most parts of Luzon until weekend, according to PAGASA.

The tropical storm is expected to make landfall in Cagayan by Sunday and will exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "Amihan" will continue to affect northern and central Luzon.

"Cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced over Cordillera, Ilocos Region, Cagayan valley and central Luzon while light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Bicol region and the provinces of Rizal, Quezon and Samar," PAGASA said.

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

"Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over Luzon and eastern Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough," PAGASA said.

Winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to northwest with slight to moderate seas in other parts of the country.