By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late on Wednesday, Tropical Depression Nando continues on its northwestward track, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) 5:00 p.m. bulletin Thursday.
Nando was last located 1,260 km east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h as it moves northwestward at 15 km/h.
As of press time, no wind signal is currently hoisted, as Nando is unlikely to affect the country’s weather over the next 48 hours.
However, the weather system is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) as it approaches the landmass and may bring heavy rains vis-à-vis strong winds and moderate to rough seas over Northern Luzon on Saturday (Sept. 20) or Sunday (Sept. 21).
The state weather bureau likewise said that TD Nando may turn west-northwestward or westward towards Extreme Northern Luzon by Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.
Nando will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category by Saturday, with PAGASA not ruling out the possibility of further intensification into super typhoon category while traversing Extreme Northern Luzon.
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