MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Auring may intensify into a tropical storm before it makes landfall over the Caraga Region, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
As of Wednesday night, Auring still had maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
It was last seen 755 km southeast of Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur moving westward at just 10 kph.
Auring is expected to stay over the waters east of Mindanao until Saturday, which means that it may intensify into a storm starting Thursday night, with winds blowing from 65 to 85 kph, and then hit Caraga by Saturday night or Sunday morning, according to weather specialist Benison Estareja.
At the moment, it appears to be moving closer to Hinatuan, but it may change course, according to Pagasa.
As of this writing, Auring still has no direct effect on the country, although its trough is causing cloudy skies over eastern Mindanao.
No tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised, but Pagasa said that Signal No. 1 might be raised in Caraga and Davao Region as early as Friday.
By the weekend, other parts of Mindanao, Visayas, Mimaropa, and Bicol Region may be placed under Signal No. 1 or Signal No. 2, depending on the track that Auring will take.
Pagasa’s current forecast track showed that Auring may continue moving northwest after leaving the northern tip of the Caraga Region, hitting Central Visayas provinces, including Cebu, before moving between northern Palawan and eastern Mindoro.
However, Pagasa again stressed that the cone of uncertainty is still wide, which means that it can either move down towards Davao Region or move north towards Eastern Visayas or Bicol Region.
Auring’s current cone of uncertainty also includes Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and even southern portions of Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.
Still, Pagasa warned residents in Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, and Calabarzon to brace for heavy rains and gusty conditions due to Auring.
Flooding and landslides may also occur, especially in areas that have endured rains in the past days and weeks.
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