Tropical Storm Expected to Enter by Thursday, Good Weather Continues -PAGASA

Manila (PNA) — The tropical depression outside the`Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday.

PAGASA defines a tropical storm as moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kph (25 to 75 mph).

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shelley Ignacio said that as of 4 a.m., the tropical storm with international name “Noul” was estimated based on all available data at 1,555 km East of Mindanao (10.0˚N, 140.4˚E) packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 9 kph.

Ignacio said with its speed and movement, the tropical storm is expected to enter the PAR by Thursday and also expected to make landfall in the Bicol Region by Saturday or Sunday.

Once it enters PAR, the storm will be locally named “Dodong” the fourth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.

PAGASA expects at least one to two cyclones to affect the country this May.

She added the trough or extended cloudiness of the tropical storm will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains over Eastern Visayas while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains. Thunderstorms are likely to occur over this areas.

For Monday forecast, Ignacio said the public will continue to experience warm and humid weather due to the easterlies or warm air from the east which continues to be the dominant weather system affecting the country

She said that due to easterlies, the whole country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

However, she noted that the chances of isolated rains are high in the areas located in the eastern section of the country since it is affected by the easterlies.

She explained that since the easterlies or winds from the east are “warm,” the convective activity brought about by its intense heat triggers the formation of localized thunderstorm clouds.

She added that its “rich in moisture” quality also contribute in the formation of thunderstorm clouds.

She said the presence of easterlies will continue to bring high temperatures and sunny weather in the coming days as he advised people to wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of water.

She said residents of places directly hit by the heat of the sun, without trees, and surrounded by concrete roads would feel much hotter.

Monday’s temperature in Metro Manila will range from 24-35 degrees Celsius.

In its advisory, PAGASA said light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Luzon, coming from the east to northeast over Visayas and from the northeast to north over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate. (PNA) LAM/CLTC