Tropical Storm Vongfong Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Tropical Storm Vongfong brought wind and rain to Luzon on Friday.  At 11:00 am. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Vongfong was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 121.2°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) northeast of Manila, Philippines.  Vongfong was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Former Typhoon Vongfong weakened to a tropical storm on Friday after the center passed across northern Samar and southeastern Luzon.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Vongfong was small but it remained well organized.  The strongest winds were occurring in rainbands in the eastern half of the circulation which was over the Philippine Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  The wind speeds were not as strong over land, although stronger winds may have been occurring at locations in mountainous regions.

Tropical Storm Vongfong dropped locally heavy rain over southeastern and eastern Luzon.  The center of Vongfong passed west of Legaspi and east of Manila.  Heavy rain may have fallen on the slopes of the Mayon Volcano and flash floods could have occurred in that region.

Tropical Storm Vongfong will move around the western end of a high pressure system centered southeast of Japan.  The high steer Vongfong toward the north during the next 24 hours.  The tropical storm will start to move toward the northeast during the weekend after it moves around the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Vongfong will move over northern Luzon during the next 24 hours.  Vongfong will continue to bring gusty winds and drop locally heavy rain over parts of northern Luzon.