By Brian Campued
The low pressure area (LPA) east of Taiwan developed into a tropical depression Wednesday morning and was given the name “Salome”, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 10:00 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Salome was located 255 km north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes and is moving south-southwestward at 15 kph. It packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
“Base sa ating latest animation, hindi naman nakaaapekto pa directly itong Bagyong Salome anywhere in our country. Subalit patuloy nga ang pagbaba nito at inaasahan nga natin na magsisimulang mamayang gabi magsimula ‘yung epekto sa may Extreme Northern Luzon,” PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said in a public briefing.
Based on the track forecast, Salome will generally move southwestward due to the northeast monsoon (amihan) or the cold winds coming from East Asia.
Salome is forecast to pass close or make landfall over Batanes between Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, Oct. 23.
Estareja clarified Salome may shift its track upward or downward due to the cone of probability, resulting in a possible second landfall scenario in Babuyan Islands or Ilocos Norte on Thursday.
The tropical depression may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday, Oct. 24.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted over Batanes, the western portion of Babuyan Islands (Calayan Island and Dalupiri Island), and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Pagudpud, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Laoag City). Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds may be expected within the next 36 hours or as early as this afternoon.
The province of Batanes will likewise experience moderate to heavy rains triggered by Salome between Wednesday to Thursday noon.
Isolated rain showers and thunderstorms may also affect parts of Babuyan Group of Islands, Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte, Estareja said.
Mariners of small seacrafts, including motor bancas, are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor due to rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboard of extreme northern Luzon or in Batanes.
Meanwhile, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)—or area where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet—is affecting Mindanao and the southern portion of Visayas, causing heavy rains and at times thunderstorms.
“Habang dito naman sa natitirang bahagi ng Luzon and Visayas, meron pa rin tayong mainit na hangin galing sa may silangan—also known as the easterlies—at nagko-cause din po ito ng mga isolated na ulan,” Estareja added.
-jpv
