Marilyn moves away from Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Marilyn (international name In-fa) weakened further and accelerated as it moved northeast away from the country yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA marine meteorological services section chief Rene Paciente said Marilyn was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tonight.

The typhoon, however, will still enhance the northeast monsoon, which will continue to bring light rains over Northern Luzon and rough to very rough sea conditions in the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon in the next few days, Paciente added.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Marilyn was located at 1,275 km east of Calayan, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

It was forecast to move northeast at 13 kph.

Paciente said Marilyn is expected to weaken further over the sea in the next days due to the intrusion of cold air into its circulation.

Good weather is expected in most parts of the country in the next three to five days.

The eastern section of the Visayas and Mindanao would experience light to moderate rains due to the easterlies.

The enhanced northeast monsoon would bring light rains over northern and eastern Luzon. Residents of Luzon, particularly the northern portion, could also expect slightly lower temperatures in the coming days due to the northeast monsoon.