A low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) became a tropical depression early Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
The tropical depression was last spotted 1,430 kilometers (km) east of northeastern Mindanao, Pagasa specialist Grace Castañeda said in the agency’s morning weather forecast.
The cyclone is packing maximum wind speeds of up to 45 km per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 55 kph while moving westward at 15 kph.
Castañeda said the tropical depression does not have an effect yet on the country.
Once the cyclone enters the PAR, it will be given the local name Tino.
‘The possible landfall is over Eastern Visayas or Caraga area by Tuesday morning. But, if the tropical cyclone moves faster, it may make landfall over these areas by Monday evening,’ Castañeda explained.
‘In terms of intensity, this tropical cyclone will intensify while it is moving over the Philippine Sea and it is possible it will intensify into the typhoon category before it makes landfall,’ she added.
Pagasa may raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Eastern Visayas and Caraga by Sunday as the tropical depression approaches the country, according to Castañeda.
Further, the cyclone may already bring rains over the country by Sunday night or Monday morning over Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.
‘The uncertainty is still rather high over the track and other scenarios of this tropical cyclone,’ Castañeda noted.
‘We need to consider the cone of confidence in which in the next few days or hours, the track may go further north or south,’ she added.