Bagyong Butchoy Enters Philippine Area Of Responsibility

Bagyong Butchoy is officially the second cyclone to visit the Philippines this year.

Bagyong Butchoy's satellite image as of 2 p.m., June 14, 2012

Earlier today, the Philippine weather bureau said that Butchoy, a tropical storm with international codename Gutchol, has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The storm, which was last spotted 880 km off East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, has maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is moving West Northwest at the rate of 24 kph.

Bagyong Butchoy is expected to be at 560 km East of Virac, Catanduanes on Friday; 320 km Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes on Saturday; and 310 km Northeast of Aparri, Cagayan on Sunday.

The bureau said that the TS Butchoy's is yielding an estimated rainfall amount of 15 - 25 mm per hour (heavy) within its 300 km diameter. Fishing boats and other small seacrafts, are thereby,

It added that Tropical Storm Butchoy and the presence of the Southwest Monsoon could generate big waves and thus, it advises fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao.