‘Nona’ Fades to Tropical Depression; ‘Onyok’ May Make Landfall Friday

Severe tropical storm “Nona” has further weakened into tropical depression and is expected to be downgraded as low pressure area within the next 24 hours, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier said that as of 4 a.m. Thursday, the center of tropical depression (TD) Nona was estimated at 60 km west of Iba, Zambales (15.4°N, 119.4°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center.

He said TD Nona has remained stationary 50 km west of Iba, Zambales and is expected to weaken as LPA in the next 24 hours.

Once it fades into a low pressure area, weather in most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila is expected to gradually improve.

He added Nona is expected to dissipate into an LPA due to the presence of cold winds brought by the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan”.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) remains hoisted over the provinces Pangasinan and Zambales.

Storm signals elsewhere have been lifted.

On the other hand, Javier said as of 4 a.m., tropical depression “Onyok” was estimated at 700 km east northeast of Mati City, Davao Oriental (8.2°N, 132.4°E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. It is forecast to move west at 15 kph.

With its present speed and movement, Javier said TD Onyok is expected to make a landfall in Caraga Region by Friday afternoon and affect the eastern section of Mindanao.

He noted Onyok has a slim chance to intensify into tropical storm category.

For Thursday forecast, PAGASA said rains with gusty winds is expected over Pangasinan and Zambales.

Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the rest of Central Luzon and of Ilocos region which may trigger flash floods and landslides while light to moderate rain is expected over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Caraga, and Davao region.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas.

The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the strong to gale force winds associated with the northeast monsoon and TD Nona as the sea condition would be rough to very rough in the seaboards of northern, eastern and western seaboards of Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned. (PNA) JBP/CLTC