By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, Dec 9 (PNA) -– Tropical depression “Ruby” is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday night, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported Tuesday.
PAGASA said “Ruby” is forecast to be at 375 km west of Ambulong, Tanauan City, Batangas or at 385 km West of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro by Wednesday morning and will expect to exit PAR on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday morning, it is expected to be at 700 km West of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or outside the PAR.
Pagasa said the tropical storm may further weaken and turn into a Low Pressure Area (LPA) as it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
”Anything is possible, it might turn into a LPA or dissipate, since “Ruby” is weakening,” PAGASA forecaster Meno Mendoza told PNA.
He noted the strength of tropical depression “Ruby” had already decreased from 60 kilometers per hour (kph) as of 5 a.m. to 45 kilometers per hour (kph) by 10:00 a.m.Tuesday.
Mendoza said the decreasing strength of “Ruby” was still due to the influence of the northeast Monsoon, or the cold winds blowing from Siberia, Russia.
The previous movement accelerating and slowing down of “Ruby” was caused by the presence of a high pressure area (HPA) which blocked its path, he added.
He said the occurrence of landfall-carrying typhoons are common during the last quarter of the year, while weather formations for the first quarter of the year normally head to Japan or Taiwan.
PAGASA’s 5 p.m. weather bulletin showed that tropical depression “Ruby” is located 215 kilometers (km) West Northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (13.3ºN, 119.2ºE), carrying winds of up to 45 kph. It is projected to move Southwest at 13 kph.
Moreover, PAGASA expects cloudy skies over Northern Luzon due to the Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon. It will bring in light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, Bicol Region and MIMAROPA.
On the other hand, the regions of Cagayan, Cordillera and Ilocos are projected to have better weather, with cloudy skies and light rains.
The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the state-run weather bureau has issued a gale warning in the Northern and Central Luzon seaboards, due to the prevalent strong winds of “Amihan” blowing over Northern and Central Luzon.
“Fisherfolks and those using small sea craft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards,” it warned. (PNA)