By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Tropical Depression Ada maintained its strength but increased in speed while maintaining its track over the Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) 11:00 a.m. bulletin.
Ada (international name: Nokaen) was last located 820 km east of northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph, as it moves northeastward at 20 kph.
While no storm signals have been raised, the state weather bureau issued a gale warning advisory on the northern seaboard of Luzon (Batanes and Babuyan Islands), with waves ranging from 2.8-4.5m expected over these coastal waters due to the effects of the northeast monsoon (amihan).
The tropical cyclone is forecast to stay within its eastward track before turning south southeastward on Wednesday (Jan. 21).
Ada’s interaction with amihan is expected to further contribute to its gradual weakening, and may be reduced into a low pressure area by Wednesday.
PAGASA, meanwhile, has spotted a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility.
The weather system was last located 2,260 km east of southeastern Mindanao, and as of press time, has a “low” chance of developing into a tropical depression.
jpv
