Tropical Storm Ofel re-enters Philippine area of responsibility
Tropical Storm Ofel has reentered the Philippine area of responsibility as of 10:00 p.m. on Friday. It was last located 220 kilometers west northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour. The storm is expected to move northwest, passing over southern Taiwan and emerging into the sea east of Taiwan. Meteorologists predict that Ofel will weaken further due to unfavorable conditions and terrain interaction. At its peak, Ofel approached the Super Typhoon category on Thursday. It may downgrade to a remnant low by Sunday evening or sooner.