Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Chedeng” has maintained its strength over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau reported Thursday, June 8.
Based on the 5:00 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), “Chedeng” was last spotted at 1,090 kilometers (km) east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h. It is moving west northwestward at 10 km/h.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estreja said “Chedeng” is unlikely to directly bring heavy rainfall over any portion of the country in the next three to five days.
“Mabagal pa rin itong kumikilos… Hindi directly nakakaapekto itong kabuuan nitong Bagyong Chedeng sa malaking bahagi ng ating bansa,” Estreja noted.
“Chedeng” is forecast to intensify in the next two to three days and may be upgraded into a typhoon by Thursday night or Friday, June 9.
It is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning, June 12.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to affect the western section of Southern Luzon. CF