'Betty' weakens into severe tropical storm ahead of exit from PAR

Satellite image shows Severe Tropical Storm Betty (Mawar) on June 1, 2023
PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:53 a.m.) — Severe Tropical Storm Betty (Mawar) continued to weaken on its way out of the Philippine area of responsibility, PAGASA said Thursday.

As of Thursday 10:00 a.m., PAGASA has lifted all tropical cyclone wind signal in any area of the country.

Betty was spotted 570 kilometers northeast of Itbayat in Batanes, with peak winds of 100 kph near the center and gusts of up to 125 kph. 

Heading north northeast at 10 kph, the cyclone is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Thursday afternoon or evening.

What to expect

“As Betty continues to move away from the country, the southwest monsoon will become the dominant rain-causing system in the country within the day,” PAGASA said.

Weather forecasters warned this may trigger floods and landslides.

The southwest monsoon enhanced by Betty will continue to bring occasional to frequent wind gusts to the following areas:

  • Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
  • Ilocos region
  • Cordillera Administrative Region
  • Central Luzon
  • Metro Manila
  • Calabarzon
  • Bicol region
  • Mimaropa
  • Western Visayas
  • Northern Samar
  • Northern portion of Samar

Betty—the country’s second cyclone this year—entered the Philippine area of responsibility as a super typhoon over the weekend.

Over 30,000 people from Luzon and Visayas have been so far affected by Betty, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Forecast position

  • June 1, 2023 8:00 PM - 800 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (outside PAR)
  • June 2, 2023 8:00 AM - 1,050 km northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon (outside PAR)

— Gaea Katreena Cabico

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