MANILA, (PNA) — At least three provinces in Northern Luzon is now under public storm warning signal no. 1 as tropical depression “Vinta” has intensified into a Tropical Storm and expected to stay within the country’s territory until weekend.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) defines a tropical storm as moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kph (25 to 75 mph).
Weather Forecaster Alvin Pura said that as of 6:00 a.m., the center of tropical storm Santi was located at 650 km East Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes (16.0°N, 131.8°E) packed with maximum winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Pura said that Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora is now under public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds may be expected within 36 hours).
PAGASA advised the residents of areas under Public Storm Warning Signal #1 against possible flashfloods and landslides.
“Vinta” is forecast to move west at 19 kph.
With its speed and movement, Pura said “Vinta” is expected to leave the country’s area of responsibility on Saturday morning, heading towards southern China.
Pura noted that if Vinta maintains its present directionand speed, it is expected to make landfall in Northern Luzon in areas of Isabela-Aurora on Friday.
The estimated rainfall amount within the storm’s 300-km radius is from 5 to 15 millimeters per hour, which is classified as moderate to heavy.
“Vinta” is expected to be at 370 km northeast of Virac, by Thursday morning.
It is forecast to be at 90 km northeast of Casiguran Aurora by Friday morning and by Saturday morning is expected to be at 190 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Pura said that due to the trough of Vinta, there is a chance that Metro Manila may also experience rains brought by the weather disturbance.
Citing the PAGASA’s extended forecast, Pura said that weather in most parts of the country will start to improve Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon as “Vinta” continues to move away from the Philippine territory.
He is also advising people going to the cemeteries on the afternoon of All Souls’ Day and All Saint’s Day to bring rain gears such as umbrellas, raincoats and jackets in anticipation of possible rains “not probably from the cyclone but due to localized thunderstorms or possible formation of an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).”
Every year, millions of Filipinos troop to cemeteries to pay their respects to their departed loved ones.
For Wednesday forecast, Pura said that the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora will have rains and gusty winds with rough to very rough seas.
He added that Quezon Province, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms while Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and rest of Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.