Pagasa satellite image as of 5:01 AM, Thursday, May 7, 2015
MANILA, Philippines–Tropical Storm “Dodong” (international name: Noul) will enter the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday morning and is expected to affect eastern Visayas, the Bicol region and northern Luzon over the weekend, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm may further intensify from its current strength of 100 kilometers per hour maximum winds once inside the Philippine area of responsibility.
“The latest forecast models show it will not make landfall,” Pagasa meteorologist Gladys Saludes said.
She said Dodong’s effects will be felt starting Friday over the eastern Visayas and the Bicol region.
Given its present track, the cyclone will head toward northern Luzon and affect Isabela and the rest of Cagayan Valley and Aurora province on Saturday and Sunday.
“It will come close to Cagayan Valley but it will not make landfall. It will exit by Monday,” Saludes said.
Coming at the height of the dry season, the cyclone will bring much-needed rains over Luzon.
Saludes said Metro Manila may experience moderate rains once Dodong nears Luzon.
This will be the fourth cyclone to hit the country this year. Pagasa said on the average one to two cyclones hit the country during the month of May.