Six Areas Now Under Signal 1 as TS ‘Glenda’ Moves Closer towards Bicol, Quezon

Manila (PNA) — At least six provinces in Luzon and Visayas are now under public storm signal no. 1 as Tropical Storm (TS) “Glenda” intensifies as it continues to move in westward direction towards Bicol-Quezon area, the state weather bureau said on Monday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz said TS Glenda entered the country between 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, it is the seventh tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second for this month.

Loiz said Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Northern Samar are under public storm warning signal number 1 (winds of 45-60 kph is expected within the next 36 hours).

He said as of 5 a.m. TS Glenda was spotted 760 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (13.4°N, 132.1°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 80 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph.

Loiz said tropical storm is expected to move west at 30 kph.

He said TS Glenda is expected to make landfall in Quezon Province by Wednesday.

He added the storm is not yet directly affecting the country as of Monday but starting Tuesday it will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Western Visayas.

With its speed and movement, Loiz said TS Glenda isexpected to be out of Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday and will be headed towards China.

PAGASA said TS Glenda is expected to be at 280 km east of Virac Catanduanes by Tuesday morning.

By Wednesday morning it is expected to be at 60 km east of Infanta, Quezon and by Thursday morning, it is expected to be at 250 km northwest of Iba, Zambales.

PAGASA also said estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5-15 mm per hour (moderate-heavy) within the 400 km diameter of the tropical storm.

It added fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern seaboards of Luzon and of Visayas.

Loiz said for Monday forecast, most parts of the country including Metro Manila will continues to experience fair weather with isolated rainshowers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA said Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to north will prevail over the eastern sections 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 southwest to west over Mindanao and from southwest to west over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC/JSD