MANILA, Philippines — Generally fair weather is expected on Thursday, with possible rain showers even as Severe Tropical Storm Chedeng (international name: Guchol) slowly moves over the Philippine Sea east of Central Luzon, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Chedeng slightly intensified, carrying maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
It was last plotted1,170 kilometers (km) east of Central Luzon.
“[Ang] magiging lagay ng ating panahon ngayon ay generally fair weather condition or maaliwalas na panahon po ang ating inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng ating kapuluan kasama po dyan ang Metro Manila,” Pagasa weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda said.
(Generally, fair weather will prevail in most parts of the country, including Metro Manila.)
“Ngunit ngayong hapon hanggang mamayang gabi may mga tsansa lamang po tayo ng pulo pulong pagulan pagkidlat at pagkulog dala ng localized thunderstorms,” she added.
(This afternoon until the evening, however, scattered rain showers are possible due to localized thunderstorms.)
Distant Chedeng
Clauren-Jorda said Chedeng remains distant from the country’s landmass and will not have a direct effect nationwide.
She added that Pagasa would unlikely raise tropical cyclone wind signals in any part of the country.
Chedeng, however, is forecast to intensify in the next two to three days and may be upgraded into a typhoon by Thursday night or Friday morning.
Chedeng is predicted to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning but may still enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which affects the western part of the country.