Karen strengthens as it nears Catanduanes-Camarines Sur area
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Satellite image as of October 14, 10 am. Image courtesy of PAGASA
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Karen (Sarika) again strengthened late Friday morning, October 14, as it moved closer to the Catanduanes-Camarines Sur area.
In its bulletin issued 11 am on Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Karen is 260 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving west northwest at a slower 9 kilometers per hour (km/h).
It now has maximum winds of up to 85 km/h and gustiness of up to 105 km/h.
Signal number 2 is raised in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur.
The following, meanwhile, are under signal number 1:
- Camarines Norte
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Quezon including Polillo Island
- Aurora
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Laguna
- Rizal
- Marinduque
- Burias Island
- Northern Samar
Moderate to heavy rain is expected within the 400-km diameter of the tropical storm.
Karen is expected to strengthen further into a severe tropical storm and then into a typhoon.
PAGASA said fishermen and those in small sea vessels are advised not to set sail in the eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar.
Karen is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday, October 17.
Forecast track of Tropical Storm Karen as of October 14, 11 am. Image courtesy of PAGASA
– Rappler.com
