In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Ruby slightly weakened and is now packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 210 kph.
It was last spotted 100 kilometers east of Dolores, Eastern Samar, maintaining its westward course and is now moving faster at 16 kph.
Ruby is expected to make landfall over Dolores, Eastern Samar between 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and bring strong winds and storm surges of up to 4.5 meters along with heavy to intense rainfall.
PAGASA weather forecaster Christopher Perez said they have observed hourly variations in Ruby's speed, but these are not expected to affect the forecast positions.
"Doon po sa pagtaya natin na within a 24-hour period, inaasahan natin na hindi naman po lalayo, bagama't may hourly variations sa speed, we're still expecting na 'yung variation na 'yun ay hindi malaki ang difference sa forecast position natin within 24 hours," Perez added.
Storm signal number 3 has been hoisted over the following areas. These areas should expect winds of 101 to 185 kph in at least 18 hours.
Luzon:
Catanduanes
Albay including Burias Island
Sorsogon
Masbate
Ticao Island
Visayas:
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
Signal number 2 (winds of 61 to 100 kph in at least 24 hours) is up over the following areas:
Luzon:
Camarines Sur
Romblon
Visayas:
Aklan
Capiz
Northern Cebu including Cebu City
Bantayan Island
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Signal number 1 (winds of 30 to 60 kph in at least 36 hours) remains up over the following areas:
Luzon:
Southern Quezon
Camarines Norte
Marinduque
Batangas
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Visayas:
Antique
Iloilo
Guimaras
Northern Negros
Rest of Cebu
Bohol
Mindanao:
Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island
Dinagat Island
Residents in these areas should brace for possible flooding and landslides, PAGASA said.
It added Ruby and the northeast monsoon will bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of northern Luzon and Visayas, eastern seaboard of central and southern Luzon, and northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao.
Fisherfolk and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out over these seaboards.
PAGASA said Ruby is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday morning.
Ruby is also expected to maintain its strength as it passes over Visayas region.
"Possible itong ma-maintain lang dahil itong Kabisayaan at Southern Luzon ay separated by bodies of water. Isa 'yan sa pinagkukunan ng enerhiya ng mga bagyo, unlike kung tumawid siya sa talagang malawak na landmass. But at the moment, we're looking at the possibility na mamaintain ang strength throughout its course," Perez explained.
SIGNAL #2 IN METRO MANILA BY MONDAY
Dr. Vicente Malano of PAGASA also warned that Metro Manila may experience heavy rains as Ruby passes over Mindoro area by Monday.
"Ang inaasahan po natin ay aabot tayo nang Signal number 2 sa Manila sa Lunes, around 2 a.m. Pero bago pa mag-Lunes, may signal na tayo sa Manila, dahil ito ay 24 hours bago darating [ang bagyo]," Malano added.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
