PAGASA: LPA Now TD ‘Agaton’; Cebu’s Weather OK on Sunday

PAGASA on Friday said the low pressure area (LPA) which brought torrential rains over parts of Mindanao has intensified into a tropical depression, where weather agency named as ‘Agaton’.

Agaton was spotted 140 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 11 am, placing Surigao del Norte, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Compostela Valley under signal no. 1. PAGASA added an estimated rainfall of 5 – 15 millimeters per hour (moderate – heavy) is expected within the tropical depression’s 300-km diameter.

Weather authorities said these areas will experience 30 to 60 kph winds in 36 hours as ‘Agaton’ was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and was moving southwest 5 kph.

Agaton is forecast to be 40 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Saturday morning, PAGASA said.

As of 5:00 am, Friday, PAGASA issued Gale Warning as strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Caraga region.

Meanwhile, Eastern and Central Visayas, PAGASA said, will experience moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms adding that sea travel over the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Caraga Region is risky.

PAGASA’s Robert Sawi said that cyclones usually form around Visayas and Mindanao during the amihan (northeast monsoon) season. Sawi explained that in this amihan season, LPAs approaching Visayas and Mindanao causes convergence of hot and cold temperature into the atmosphere, enhancing the moisture content.

Moreover, PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said they observed vortices around the LPA. He added the ‘high pressure area’ caused the weather system to remain stationary and dumped rains in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

Cebu should experience better weather by Sunday, January 19, in time for the start of the Sinulog Festival activities, Aurelio said. He said if Agaton’s unhampered movement goes straight to southwest direction, Cebu’s weather will improve by Sunday. Forecaster said Agaton will weaken and be downgraded back to LPA status once it hits land.

Earlier, being an LPA, 34 people are reportedly killed in Mindanao after the rains triggered landslides and heavy flooding.

Image Credit: www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph