Auring now a severe tropical storm; Signal No. 1 up in 4 Mindanao areas

MANILA, Philippines — Auring has intensified into a severe tropical storm as it moves slowly over the eastern part of Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the state weather bureau said Severe Tropical Storm Auring was located 535 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Pagasa said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is raised over Davao Oriental, the eastern portion of Davao de Oro, the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur.

Pagasa added that Auring is expected to bring light to moderate to at times heavy rains over the Caraga region, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte on Friday through Saturday afternoon.

Moderate to heavy rains are likewise expected over the weekend in Eastern Visayas, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Bukidnon.

Pagasa said Auring is forecast to make landfall over the Caraga Region’s eastern coast on Sunday morning.

“On the forecast track, 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,” Pagasa said.

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