(UPDATED) The low-pressure area off the Philippine Sea has intensified into tropical depression “Falcon,” the first tropical cyclone in the country this month, and could make landfall over extreme Northern Luzon tomorrow.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Chris Perez said tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 may be raised over some areas in Northern Luzon today.
Falcon was estimated at 1,025 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora at around 3 p.m. yesterday, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 65 kph from 45 kph and 60 kph, respectively, earlier in the day.
Falcon slightly changed course, moving northwest from north-northwest yesterday afternoon at 25 kph. Should it maintain its current speed and track, PAGASA weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said Falcon may make landfall over the extreme Northern Luzon or over the Batanes Group of Islands tomorrow afternoon or evening.
As early as yesterday, Perez said scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms were experienced in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte due to the trough of Falcon.
The tropical cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” brought rains over Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and the rest of Visayas.
Perez said more intense rains will be felt today until tomorrow.
Today, light to moderate with occasional heavy monsoon rains will prevail over Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Tomorrow, moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Apayao, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Zambales, Bataan, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro due to the combined effects of Falcon and habagat. (Ellalyn Ruiz)
