LPA near Batanes develops into 'Ester' but won't make landfall in PH (original) (raw)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the low pressure area near Batanes has developed into a tropical depression overnight and was now named "Ester."

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Friday, Pagasa said the center of "Ester" was 225 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

It is moving northeastward at 20 km per hour, with maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The weather bureau said it would not make landfall in the Philippines but in Taiwan.

"Ester" is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday.

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"Tropical Depression Ester is forecast to move northeastward and will make landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan [on Friday]. It will then continue moving generally northeastward and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) [on Saturday] morning before heading towards southern Japan," the weather bureau said.

As of posting time, signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes.