Brace for possible typhoon on Monday - PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines - The tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) may approach the country as a typhoon in the next two days, government meteorologists said on Saturday, Nov. 1.

In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical depression may enter the PAR on Sunday, and will be named “Tino.”

It is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within 24 hours.

PAGASA said it may raise Signal No. 1 over Eastern Visayas and Caraga and issue storm surge warnings by Sunday as a precautionary move.

On Saturday, the bureau said Palawan may have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms caused by another low pressure area, which was unlikely to become a full-blown storm.

It forecast the same condition in Cagayan due to a shear line, a zone where two air masses meet that result in a sharp change in wind direction.

Cloudy skies and rains across the country may be caused by the northeast monsoon or amihan, the intertropical convergence zone, and localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA said the tropical depression is seen to be a typhoon once it hits land in Caraga region or Eastern Visayas between Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

The bureau said the highest possible wind alert that may be raised is Signal No. 4.

Eastern Visayas and Caraga may encounter heavy rains by Monday.

“Due to the combined effects of the approaching TC (tropical cyclone) and a possible Northeast Monsoon surge, rough sea condition may be experienced over the northern, western, and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao within the next 3 days,” PAGASA said.

The tropical cyclone will cross the Visayas, the northern portion of Sulu Sea, and northern Palawan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.