Ramil Weakens, Will Hit Luzon as a Cat 2

Typhoon Ramil was last spotted 850km East of Basco, Batanes packing winds of up to 185kph and gustiness reaching 230kph. It is moving WNW at 15kph. Ramil has now weakened considerably and will continue to do so as it interacts with the High Pressure Ridge. Strong convection can still be spotted close to the eye, however, so weakening might be limited.

Today's forecast accounts the weakening trend Ramil is in. We now expect it to hit Northern Cagayan as a strong Cat 2 Typhoon with winds of up to 150kph. Storm Warning map has now been put up, as well as expected wave heights. Map courtesy of cebu-ph.com and google earth.
Landfall timing has not considerably changed this time--we still expect N. Luzon to feel the full brunt of Ramil at around Thursday afternoon. The system will exit Luzon through Ilocos as a Cat 1, or perhaps just a Tropical Storm.
Please note that the Storm Signal Warnings were issued by PAGASA at 11am PST, not 5am._____________________
102009 330pm PST