Tropical depression outside PAR may become a storm late Friday

MANILA, Philippines — The tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) may intensify into a tropical storm on Friday afternoon or evening, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the tropical depression was last located 1,850 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas at 10 a.m.

READ: Tropical depression east of Visayas may enter PAR by weekend

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It maintained its strength, carrying a maximum wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 70 kph. It slightly accelerated, moving westward at 20 kph.

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“The tropical cyclone may intensify into a tropical storm today. As it moves over the warm tropical ocean, it will continue to intensify and may reach typhoon category by Sunday,” Pagasa said.

Pagasa maintained that the tropical depression is forecast to enter the PAR between Saturday evening or Sunday morning. It added that the tropical depression is less likely to directly affect the country in the next three days.

READ: Pagasa declares start of rainy season in western parts of Luzon, Visayas

While it will be named Francisco once it is inside the PAR, Pagasa said that a landfall scenario is “less likely.” However, the bureau noted that raising Wind Signal No. 1 over the northern and eastern protons of Northern Luzon “is not ruled out” due to the possible close proximity to land on Tuesday and Wednesday and possible changes in its track.

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Meanwhile, in a separate outlook, Pagasa said that easterlies will prevail over Luzon and the eastern section of Visayas on Friday. Easterlies are the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean.

Pagasa added that partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms are forecast over the whole archipelago mostly in the afternoon or evening./coa

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