'Helen' to exit PH — Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Without directly affecting the country, Tropical Storm «Helen» will likely exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either Wednesday afternoon or at night, according to the state-run weather agency.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Helen, along with Tropical Depression «Gener,» which is outside PAR, has been enhancing the southwest monsoon or «habagat.»

Forecast to move northwestward until it exits later in the day, Helen will remain far from the Philippine landmass and would not directly affect any part of the country, Pagasa said.

Estimated some 1,060 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, the tropical storm has been moving northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 85kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105kph.

The same bulletin said gale warning was in effect over several coastal waters in the western seaboard of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile, the enhanced habagat will also bring strong to gale-force gusts especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds, it added.