Bagyong Helen August 15, 2012 Update

Bagyong Helen has made a landfall over Isabela and is now traversing Northern Luzon, the PAGASA reported Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

Bagyong Helen satellite image as of 5:32 a.m., August 15, 2012 (Source: PAGASA)

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau stated that  Bagyong Helen was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 60 km South Southeast of Tuguegarao City (17.2°N 122.1°E). Packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph, the tropical storm is forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph.

PAGASA has hoisted Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS) over the following areas:

PSWS # 1 - Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union, Rest of Aurora; and

PSWS #2 - Cagayan, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra  and Batanes Group of Islands.

"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides." PAGASA wrote. "Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning #2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical storm."

It added that Bagyong Helen will enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Luzon and Visayas especially over the western section.

"Estimated rainfall amount is from 20 - 35 mm per hour (intense - torrential) within the 500 km diameter of the Tropical Storm." PAGASA wrote. "Moderate to heavy rains (7.5 - 12.0 mm/hr) is expected over Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite at early morning today and likewise at mid-morning over Metro Manila. Intermittent light to moderate rains (2.5 - 7.5 mm/hr) over Central Luzon and the rest of Southern Luzon."

The bureau also advised fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the Seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas due to Bagyong Helen and the Southwest Monsoon. 

Bagyong Helen Update (August 13, 2012)

Bagyong Helen has intensified into a Tropical Storm and is now threatening Northern Luzon, the PAGASA reported Monday, August 13, 2012.

Bagyong Helen satellite image as of 11:32 a.m., August 13, 2012

According to the state weather bureau's 11 a.m. bulletin, the center of  Bagyong Helen was located based on satellite and surface data at 540 km East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora (17.0°N, 127.8°E). Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the tropical cyclone West Northwestward at the rate of 13 kph, the PAGASA said.

PAGASA has hoisted Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 over the following areas: Isabela, , Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Group of Islands, and Batanes Group of Islands.

"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides." PAGASA wrote. "Tropical Storm  Helen is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Luzon and Visayas especially over the western section. "

It added:  "Estimated rainfall amount is from 15 - 35 mm per hour (heavy - torrential) within 400 km diameter of Tropical Storm. Intermittent light to moderate rains (2.5 - 7.5 mm/hr) are now affecting Central and Southern Luzon becoming more frequent moderate to heavy rains (7.5 - 10.0 mm/hr) during the latter part of the day towards the evening over Camarines provinces, Quezon province, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas Mindoro, Bataan, Zambales and Metro Manila."

The next bulletin will be issued at 5 p.m.

Bagyong Helen Update (August 12, 2012)

Bagyong Helen satellite image as of 5:32 p.m, August 12, 2012

Bagyong Helen, currently a tropical depression, was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 750 km East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.7°N 130.2°E), the PAGASA reported at 4 p.m on Sunday, August 12, 2012.

Packing maximum winds of 55 kph near the center, Bagyong Helen is moving West Northwestward at 11 kph, PAGASA added.

The state weather bureau further said that Bagyong Helen will be at 550 km East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora on Monday afternoon; at 410 km Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora on Tuesday afternoon; and 300 km North of Aparri, Cagayan on Wednesday afternoon.

Bagyong Helen is expected to yield an estimated rainfall amount of 10 - 20 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within its 350 km diameter. It is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao especially the Western section.

No public storm warning signals have been issued as of posting time.