4 areas in Mindanao under Signal No.1 as TS Auring looms
MANILA, Philippines — Four areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Storm Auring threatens the Mindanao region, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday morning.
TCWS No. 1 has been raised over Davao Oriental, the eastern portion of Davao de Oro, the southeastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and the southern portion of Surigao del Sur.
Pagasa said more areas in Caraga and Davao Region may be placed under Signal No. 1 in the next few hours.
Tracking Auring
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said Auring was spotted 595 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
Pagasa said Auring is moving almost stationary and is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of the Caraga region on Sunday, February 21.
Wet weekend
The state weather bureau said Auring is expected to bring light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte on Friday through Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy to at times heavy or intense rains are expected over the weekend in the Caraga region, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro, Eastern Visayas, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, and Davao del Norte.
Pagasa said Auring is forecast to further intensity into a severe tropical storm in the next 48 hours but will likely weaken while crossing the Philippine archipelago.
The state weather bureau added that the storm will likely follow a generally northwestward path as it traverses Caraga region, Visayas, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) on Sunday and Monday.
