MANILA—Tropical Storm “Pilandok” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning as it slightly accelerates while moving northwestward, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Pilandok, internationally known as Krovahn, was estimated at 1,030 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon at 4 a.m.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness of up to 90 kph and a central pressure of 992 hectopascals.

It was moving northwestward at 20 kph, with strong to gale-force winds extending up to 600 kilometers from the center.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is currently raised over any part of the country.

Despite Pilandok’s expected departure from the PAR, PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon would continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental until Saturday.

PAGASA also advised the public to refer to its heavy rainfall outlook due to the Southwest Monsoon.

A Gale Warning remains in effect over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon.

Very rough seas of up to 4.5 meters are expected along the western and southern seaboards of Batanes and the western seaboard of the Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA warned that sea travel is risky for all types and tonnage of vessels in these areas. Mariners were advised to remain in port or seek shelter or safe harbor if already at sea until winds and waves subside.

Rough seas of up to 4 meters are also forecast over the remaining seaboards of Batanes, the northern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands, and the seaboards of Ilocos Norte and northern Ilocos Sur.

Wave heights of up to 3.5 meters are expected over the remaining seaboard of Ilocos Sur and the seaboards of La Union and Zambales, as well as the western seaboard of Pangasinan.

PAGASA advised operators of small sea vessels, including motorbancas, not to venture out under these conditions, particularly those who are inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Pilandok is forecast to remain a tropical storm throughout the forecast period, PAGASA said.

After leaving the PAR, the storm is expected to continue moving generally northwestward toward southern Japan. It is forecast to remain almost stationary from Friday to Sunday before moving generally southward and looping over the Okinawa-Amami islands.

By Monday, Pilandok is expected to move generally southeastward before turning northeastward by Tuesday.

PAGASA reminded the public that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still affect areas outside the storm’s forecast track and confidence cone.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11 a.m. Thursday.