The tropical depression that developed east of Mindanao outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility is expected to enter the country tomorrow, the State weather bureau said yesterday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration spotted the tropical cyclone 2,310 kilometers east of Mindanao yesterday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 45 kph and moving west at 20 kph.
PAGASA weather specialist Gener Quitlong said that the tropical depression will be locally named “Samuel,” the 19th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first this month.
Samuel is expected to further intensify and reach severe tropical storm category.
Based on its current track, Samuel will pass through the central part of the country, specifically Caraga, Central and Western Visayas, and Palawan.
Quitlong added that Samuel might make landfall in the Caraga region between Tuesday or Wednesday and will exit the country by Thursday or Friday next week.
On the other hand, the low pressure area over Palawan is already outside the country but it continues to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in the province and in Western Visayas. (Alexandria Dennise San Juan)
