Manila: The low pressure area (LPA) that has been monitored south of Guam has developed into a tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported Tuesday. While positioned over the Philippine Sea, the tropical depression is expected to gain strength, potentially escalating to a typhoon by Thursday and reaching super typhoon status over the weekend.
According to Philippines News Agency, PAGASA has estimated the center of the tropical depression to be 1,985 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, with coordinates at 9.9°N, 143.6°E. The system carries maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near its center, gusts reaching up to 70 km/h, and a central pressure of 1004 hPa. It is moving westward at 20 km/h, with significant winds extending outward up to 300 kilometers from the center.
The tropical depression is anticipated to decelerate as it continues its westward movement over the next 24 hours, potentially displaying erratic behavior before picking up speed in a northwestward direction over the Philippine Sea until Friday. It is projected to shift west-northwestward by Saturday. On its current trajectory, PAGASA predicts the system may enter the PAR by Friday evening or Saturday, upon which it will be assigned the local name ‘Uwan.’
Despite the cyclone’s current distance from the Philippines, PAGASA indicated that the likelihood of landfall is increasing based on preliminary forecasts. However, the agency noted that the exact location and timing of landfall remain highly uncertain due to the forecast period extending beyond five days. Presently, the system does not affect any land or sea areas within the country directly. Nonetheless, PAGASA cautioned that by Saturday, the combined impact of the tropical cyclone and a northeast monsoon surge could lead to rough to very rough sea conditions along the northern and eastern seaboards of the Philippines.
PAGASA advised the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to remain vigilant, monitor official updates related to the tropical depression, and prepare to take precautionary measures once it enters the PAR. Unless an intermediate advisory is released, the next tropical cyclone advisory is scheduled for 11 p.m. today, PAGASA stated.
