by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (15 July) -- Light to moderate winds blowing from the southeast and southwest will prevail over Mindanao and its coastal waters will be slight to moderate except during thunderstorms in the next 24 hours.

This public weather forecast has been issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) as of 5:00 a.m., July 15, 2008, relative to tropical storm "Helen" which has maintained its strength and remains a threat to Northern Luzon.

Based on satellite and surface data as of 2:00 a.m., today, TS Helen was estimated some 250 kms. East of Basco, Batanes at coordinates 18.7 degrees North and 124.2 degrees East with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph., moving west slowly.

It is expected to be 170 km. East of Aparri, Cagayan by Wednesday morning, 90 km. North of the same place by Thursday morning and 190 km. West Northwest of Basco, Batanes by Friday morning, Senior Weather Specialist Ricardo A. Mercado of PAG-ASA, region 10, said.

Although no public storm warning signals have been raised in Mindanao, residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.

This, as TS Helen is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring isolated rains or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening, he said.

Thus, the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued by PAG-ASA.

Meanwhile, Mercado said the rainfall pattern of Northern Mindanao in the first six (6) months of the year showed the highest rainfall of 228.2 millimeters occurred during the month June, followed by January, 183.8 mm., May, 170.7 mm., April, 165.8 mm., February, 90.1 mm. and lowest in March with 83.4 mm.