MANILA, (PNA) –Tropical depression “Quedan” is expected to stay within the country’s territory until Sunday due to its slow movement, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier said that cyclone changed in direction from north-northwest at 11kph on Thursday morning to north at 7kph in the afternoon.
Javier said that as of 4:00 p.m. the center of tropical storm “Quedan” was estimated to be at 690 km East of Basco, Batanes.
He also said that the wind strength of “Quedan” increased from 105 kph Thursday morning to 110 kph in the afternoon while its gustiness also rose from 135 kph to 140 kph.
He said “Quedan” still have no direct effect to any part of the country since it remains too far from the Philippines’ landmass.
However, he maintained that it is still not expected to make landfall in any part of the country.
He said if “Quedan” would continue its movement and speed it would just hover off the Pacific Ocean until its exit on Sunday morning towards Southern Japan.
He said the cyclone was expected to further intensify before it exit the Philippine territory.
Meanwhile, Javier said parts of Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Quezon and Palawan would continue to experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains until Friday because of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
The rest of the country including Metro Manila, he added, would have partly cloudy skies to at times cloudy with possible isolated rains in the afternoon or evening due to localized thunderstorms.