MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression “Ambo,” the first storm expected in the country this year, may hit the Bicol region toward the end of the week, traveling westward and bringing rain to large areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Eastern Visayas.
Ambo slowed down on Monday but slightly intensified with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
As of 3 p.m. on Monday, it was spotted 330 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur province, where it remained almost stationary. Though it is still offshore, thick clouds are already affecting the landmass of Mindanao.
On Tuesday, cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over the Caraga and Davao regions due to Ambo’s trough or extension.
Pagasa said Ambo would be closer to Eastern Samar province by Tuesday and Wednesday, causing inclement weather before approaching land.
According to Chris Perez, Pagasa’s senior weather specialist, the tropical depression could make landfall in Bicol between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
In an update on social media on Monday noon, Pagasa predicted Ambo to be 135 km east of Juban, Sorsogon, by Thursday morning and 20 km north of Alabat, Quezon, by Friday morning. It was expected to intensify into a tropical storm before hitting landmass.
Pagasa may possibly raise tropical cyclone wind signal over Bicol and parts of Eastern Visayas by Thursday, Perez said.
With a diameter of approximately 300 kilometers, Ambo may bring rains over Bicol, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Metro Manila by the end of the week.
In the weather agency’s latest forecast track, Ambo was expected to cross Luzon toward the West Philippine Sea, and head west of Dagupan City in Pangasinan province by Saturday. INQ