Pagasa: New cloud massing spotted east of PH as TD Ofel moves away

MANILA, Philippines — Just as Tropical Depression Ofel was moving away from the country, state meteorologists said Thursday that a new set of cloud bands were spotted east of the Philippines which may develop into a weather disturbance.

The latest bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) showed that Ofel was last seen 250 kilometers west of Subic, Zambales, and has kept its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It is negotiating the west-northwest direction at a speed of 25 kph.

Pagasa said it expects Ofel to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday night or Friday morning, and eventually weaken into a low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea.

“Samantala meron pa rin tayong binabantayang mga kumpol ng kaulapan o cloud clusters dito sa silangang bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao. Babantayan natin ‘to sa mga susunod na araw kung posible itong maging ganap na isa na namang panibagong sama ng panahon,” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.

(Meanwhile, we are still monitoring a cloud cluster over the eastern side of Visayas and Mindanao.  We would monitor developments in the coming days if this will develop into another weather disturbance.)

But despite the presence of cloud bands east of the country, Pagasa said a gradual improvement of weather is likely especially in most parts of Luzon. It added that the region can expect only isolated thunderstorms by Friday afternoon and night.

Provinces in the north may see cloudy skies due to the northeasterly surface wind flow, according to the state weather bureau.

Luzon climate will generally become warmer as Metro Manila may feel temperatures between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius on Friday. Pagasa said Palawan and Tuguegarao will experience temperatures at around 24 to 30 degrees Celsius while Legazpi and Laoag will have it at around 24 to 32 degrees Celsius and 25 to 33 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Weather is also expected to improve over Visayas and Mindanao, as Cebu and Davao may have temperatures within 24 to 32 degrees Celsius; Tacloban, 25 to 32 degrees Celsius; Iloilo, 25 to 31 degrees Celsius, and Zamboanga, 23 to 33 degrees Celsius.

Meantime, a gale warning is still up over the northern seaboards of Luzon, including waters of Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and both the whole Ilocos Region.  Fisherfolk and boat transfer operators using small boats are not allowed to set sail under this notice as waves may reach as high as 2.8 meters to 4.5 meters.

KGA