MANILA, (PNA) — Tropical storm Quedan (international name: Fitow) gained strength but its direction may prolong its stay inside the Philippine area of responsibility, the state weather forecaster said Tuesday.
Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar blamed Quedan’s change in direction from northward at 7 kph to moving north-northwest at 13kph Tuesday afternoon.
“Inaasahan natin na magtatagal ito (Quedan) sa loob ng Philippine area of responsibility hanggang Sabado dahil nagbago ito ng direksiyon,” she noted.
Escullar said that as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Quedan was estimated to be at 700 km East of Virac, Catanduanes (15.5°N,131.5°E)
Escullar also said that the wind strength of Quedan increased from 65 kph Tuesday morning to 75 kph in the afternoon while its gustiness also rose from 80 kph to 90 kph.