Tropical depression “Crising” slightly weakened as it moves closer to land yesterday, according to State weather forecasters.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Crising was located 155 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar before noon yesterday.
Crising slightly weakened with maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 55 kph from maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 68 kph.
It lightly slowed down from 22 kph to 20 kph but maintained its west-northwest movement.
Should it maintain its speed and direction, Aurelio said the tropical cyclone will be over Samar between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. yesterday.
Aurelio said Crising will traverse northern Visayas and Southern Luzon Saturday until Sunday. It will be over Panay Island by Sunday, he added.
Signal No. 1 has been raised over Sorsogon, Burias Island, Romblon, Masbate, including Ticao Island, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Northern Cebu, Northern Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
Aurelio noted that PAGASA could also raise Signal No. 1 over Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Group of Islands in Palawan.
PAGASA is looking into the possible weakening of the tropical depression into a low pressure area after its landfall.
Areas along the path of the cyclone will experience moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms that may cause floods and landslides.
PAGASA-Weather Division Marine Meteorological Services Section Chief Rene Paciente warned passengers that even if the tropical cyclone may weaken into a tropical depression, moderate to rough seas will still prevail over Samar, Leyte, and Sorsogon.
Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected over Quezon, Aurora, and the rest of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Aurelio said.
Metro Manila will experience passing light rains apart from isolated thunderstorms today, he added.
Crising is expected to be 40 kms northwest of Roxas City in Capiz by this morning and 210 kms northwest of Coron, Palawan by tomorrow morning.
Crising is expected to exit the landmass tomorrow. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)