TD ‘Domeng’ slightly intensifies; to reach Tropical Storm category in 12 hours

Source: DOST / Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression “Domeng” slightly intensified on Thursday night, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), as it continued to move over the Philippine Sea.

According to Pagasa in its latest tropical cyclone bulletin, Domeng was last spotted 1,000 kilometers (kms) east of Extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kms per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Pagasa said Domeng was moving southward slowly, but is still forecast to slowly accelerate north northwestward far from the Philippine landmass before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday.

“Domeng is forecast to reach tropical storm category in the next 12 hours, a peak intensity of 85 kph may be reached by Saturday,” said Pagasa.

No storm signals were also hoisted by the Pagasa, as of writing.

Together with Tropical Depression Caloy (now internationally known as Tropical Storm Chaba), which earlier left the PAR, the two weather systems will enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as the “habagat,” said Pagasa.

Because of this, Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains should be expected over Pangasinan, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan while light to moderate with at times heavy rain forecast over Metro Manila, Pampanga, La Union, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite and Oriental Mindoro.

Gale Warning

Meanwhile, gale warning was raised over the seaboards of Western Luzon due to the expected rough to very rough sea conditions. Pagasa warned of waves reaching up to 4.5 meters in this area.

Pagasa also warned of moderate to rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while large sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” said Pagasa.

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