MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 due to Tropical Depression Ferdie was lifted in La Union, western portion of Pangasinan, northern portion of Zambales, and several municipalities of Ilocos Sur on Monday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
According to Pagasa’s 5 a.m. bulletin, “Ferdie” is forecast to move north over the West Philippine Sea and is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Monday morning.
TCWS No. 1 , however, is still up over the western portions of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur due to the tropical depression Ferdie.
Specifically, areas placed under the TCWS No. 1 are Badoc, Pinili, Currimao, Batac City, Paoay, San Nicolas, Laoag City, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Burgos in Ilocos Norte, and Magsingal, Santo Domingo, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, San Juan, Cabugao, Sinait, and Santa Catalina in Ilocos Sur.
Pagasa said winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours in areas under TCWS No. 1.
China – bound
“Following a slight turn to the north-northwest tonight, this tropical depression is forecast to make landfall over Fujian Province in southeastern China between tomorrow morning and afternoon,” Pagasa said.
The weather bureau also said the tropical depression is likely to reach the tropical storm category this Monday night or Tuesday morning outside PAR and weaken into a low pressure area Tuesday evening after landfall.
Tracking “Ferdie”
The center of “Ferdie” was last spotted 210 kilometers west northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur or 210 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. It is moving north at 20 kilometers per hour and has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Rainy Monday
According to Pagasa, Ferdie and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” will bring monsoon rains over Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and occasional rains over Batanes, Cagayan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, and Central Luzon.
It added that “Ferdie” and the southwest monsoon will also bring “strong breeze-force to near gale-force winds” over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa, especially in areas under TCWS 1.
Gusty conditions are more likely in coastal and mountainous regions of these areas.
Meanwhile, Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms, according to the weather bureau.
Pagasa is also monitoring a tropical depression last spotted 2,580 km east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon outside PAR. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving west southwest at 15 km/h and is not likely to enter PAR.
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