By Brian Campued
Tropical Depression Nando is less likely to directly affect the weather in the next 48 hours, the state weather bureau said, as Tropical Depression Mirasol exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Specialist Leanne Loreto, Nando was spotted 1,325 km east of Central Luzon as of 10:00 a.m. It is moving slowly northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
As the tropical cyclone moves over the Philippine Sea, it will continue to intensify and may reach typhoon strength by Saturday, Sept. 20. PAGASA added that heavy rains brought by Nando and the southwest monsoon (habagat) may be felt starting Sunday, Sept. 21.
“Bukas nga po aasahan natin or earliest po mamayang gabi o mamayang hapon ay mag-intensify pa bilang tropical storm itong Tropical Depression Nando. At habang papalapit ito ng bansa, posible ngang mag-typoon o worst-case scenario ay mag-super typhoon category ito possible po by Monday o Tuesday,” Loreto said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 will be hoisted over Northern Luzon as early as Saturday as Nando approaches the landmass. PAGASA may also raise Wind Signal No. 5 due to the possibility of the weather disturbance reaching super typhoon strength as it traverses the Extreme Northern Luzon.
Nando will also enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains over the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas.
Habagat will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Benguet, MIMAROPA, Quezon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mirasol left the PAR at 6:00 a.m. and was last monitored 395 km west of Calayan, Cagayan outside the PAR. It is moving west-northwestward at 35 kph with winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.
“Ito pa rin ay nakakadala ng maulan at maulap na panahon dito sa may Ilocos Region pati sa may Cordillera Administrative Region at Cagayan Valley. Dito rin sa may Zambales at Bataan ‘yung mga kaulapan nitong Tropical Depression Mirasol ay magdadala din po ng makulimlim na panahon at kalat-kalat na pag-ulan,” Loreto added.
Mirasol is forecast to reach tropical storm category within the day as it accelerates towards southern China, where it will make landfall by Saturday.
Wind Signal No. 1 due to Mirasol has also been lifted.
-jpv
