LPA east of Mindanao develops into Tropical Depression Verbena

MANILA, Philippines, November 24 ------ The low pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) developed into a tropical depression at 2 am on Monday, November 24. It was given the local name Verbena, as the country’s 22nd tropical cyclone for 2025. It is also the third tropical cyclone for November, after Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) and Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).

In a briefing past 5 am on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Verbena was already 330 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, as of 4 am. The tropical depression is moving west at a relatively fast 30 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

Given its speed and proximity to land, Verbena could make landfall or pass close to northeastern Mindanao by Monday noon or afternoon, before crossing the Visayas and the northern portion of Palawan. Afterwards, it may emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning, November 26. PAGASA added that Verbena could slightly intensify before making landfall, but it is likely to cross landmass as a tropical depression. “Once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, it is then forecast to intensify further into a tropical storm,” the weather bureau said.

On Monday, the rest of the Visayas, the rest of Mindanao, and Mimaropa will also have scattered rain and thunderstorms due to the trough or extension of the tropical depression. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is raised in these areas as of 5 am on Monday, which means they will see strong winds from Verbena:

- southern part of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose)

- southern part of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong)

- Romblon

- mainland Masbate

- central and southern parts of Eastern Samar (Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Lawaan, Balangiga, General Macarthur, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Hernani, Salcedo, Guiuan, Mercedes, Taft)

- central and southern parts of Samar (Hinabangan, Marabut, Basey, Santa Rita, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Calbiga, San Sebastian, Daram, - - Talalora, Zumarraga, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tagapul-an, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas)

- Biliran

- Leyte

- Southern Leyte

- northern and central parts of Cebu (Pinamungahan, Ronda, Liloan, Cebu City, Moalboal, Consolacion, Danao City, Borbon, Carmen, Argao, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, Bogo City, Alcantara, Tabogon, Badian, Sibonga, Naga City, Lapu-Lapu City, Carcar City, Mandaue City, Catmon, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Cordova, Dalaguete, Compostela, San Remigio, Balamban, Dumanjug, Aloguinsan, San Fernando, Asturias, Barili, Medellin, Sogod, Tabuelan, Talisay City, Alegria, Alcoy) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands

- Bohol

- northern part of Negros Occidental (Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Isabela, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Valladolid, San Enrique, Bago City, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, Talisay City, Silay City, Enrique B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Murcia)

- northern part of Negros Oriental (Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan City, Vallehermoso, Canlaon City)

- Iloilo

- Capiz

- Aklan

- Antique including Caluya Islands

- Guimaras

- Dinagat Islands

- Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island

- northern part of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, Tandag City)

- northern part of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, Cabadbaran City)

Source: rappler.com