Tropical depression “Ramon” (international name “Kalmaegi”) intensified into a tropical storm before its expected landfall over Isabela Saturday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration estimated the location of Ramon at 385 kilometers east-northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar or 450 kms east of Catarman, Northern Samar as of noon yesterday.
Ramon has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, moving 20 kph west-northwest.
If it maintains its current track, Ramon will make landfall over Isabela Saturday, PAGASA weather specialist Chris Perez said.
He pointed out that the center of Ramon is still too far from the country’s landmass as of yesterday, but its outer rainbands are already bringing rains over the eastern portions of Luzon and Visayas.
As early as yesterday, light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may be experienced over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon, while light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains may affect Camarines Norte, Masbate, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.
PAGASA hoisted tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 1 over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar, as these areas could experience winds from 30 to 60 kph in 36 hours.
This morning, PAGASA said Ramon will be 180 kms east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, and 250 kms east of Baler, Aurora tomorrow morning.
It will be 65 kms east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Saturday morning, and in the vicinity of Tabuk, Kalinga by Sunday morning. Ramon will likely weaken into a tropical depression during this time, Perez said.
He added that Ramon may have already crossed the landmass of Northern Luzon as a tropical depression by Monday and will be 75 kms west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. (Ellalyn Ruiz)