‘Quinta’ maintains strength; Signal No. 1 raised over parts of Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Quinta maintained its strength while more areas in Luzon are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the tropical depression was last detected at 610 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour (kph), gustiness of up to 70 kph, and is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

Meanwhile, Pagasa said Signal No. 1 was raised over Marinduque, Camarines Norte , Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, the northern portion of Masbate (Mobo, Uson, Milagros, Masbate City, Baleno, Mandaon, Balud, Aroroy, Dimasalang) including Ticao and Burias Islands, and the southern portion of Quezon (Atimonan, Pagbilao, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Pitogo, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Mulanay, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, San Francisco, Guinayangan, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Quezon, Alabat, Perez).

Pagasa also warned that Quinta will intensify into a tropical storm within 12 hours and could reach “severe tropical storm category prior to landfall.”

On Saturday until Sunday morning, state meteorologists said the troughs of Quinta and Severe Tropical Storm Saudel will bring light to moderate rains over the Southwestern Tagalog Region (MIMAROPA), Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Quezon.

A stationary front extending over extreme Northern Luzon will bring moderate to heavy rains over Batanes, Cagayan, and the northern portions of Apayao and Ilocos Norte, Pagasa also noted.

/MUF