Tropical Storm Auring weakens; wet weekend, Signal No. 1 in parts of Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Auring slightly weakened while almost stationary over Philippine Sea but will trigger moderate to heavy rains in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 a.m. weather bulletin.

Auring’s maximum sustained winds slowed down from 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center on Friday night to 75 kph with gustiness of from 105 kph to  90 kph, Pagasa said.

Auring was last spotted at 475 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4 a.m., Pagasa added.

Pagasa said Auring will remain almost stationary in the next six to 12 hours before moving northwest.

Visayas, Mindanao rainfall forecast

Light to moderate with occasional heavy rains are expected over Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Caraga region, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Southern Leyte from Saturday morning until afternoon, Pagasa weather specialists said.

Heavy to intense rains will persist over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands.

The tropical storm will also bring moderate to intense rains over Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and the rest of Caraga region.

Signal Number 1

Meanwhile, these following areas are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Signal No. 1 (30 to 60 kph winds expected in 36 hours)

Visayas

Northern Samar

Eastern Samar

Samar

Biliran

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Cebu

Negros Oriental

Bohol

Siquijor

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Davao Oriental

Davao de Oro

Davao del Norte

Davao City

Camiguin

Misamis Oriental

Misamis Occidental

Lanao del Norte

Bukidnon

Lanao del Sur

Sunday landfall forecast

“Its center is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Caraga region on Sunday morning or afternoon, then cross Visayas and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) throughout the remainder of Sunday through Monday,” state meteorologists said.

Auring will also remain as a tropical storm until it makes landfall.

“However, there is an increasing likelihood that the storm will weaken into a tropical depression before making landfall. Nevertheless, this storm will likely weaken considerably due to significant terrain interaction and persistent vertical wind shear during this passage over the archipelago and may reach tropical depression category on Monday,” said Pagasa.

READ: NDRRMC advisory: Brace for ‘Auring’ impact this weekend

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