August 24 ------ The low-pressure area (LPA) spotted near Cagayan province has intensified into a tropical depression and was named “Goring,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
PAGASA last located tropical depression Goring 400 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, or 405 km east of Calayan, Cagayan.
It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph as it moves slowly west-northwestward. PAGASA said the current forecast scenario indicates that the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals over areas in Northern Luzon may begin Thursday evening or Friday, Aug. 25, in anticipation of the onset of Goring's severe winds. “However, the hoisting may happen earlier should there be changes in the forecast scenario,” it pointed out.
PAGASA also warned that the possible enhancement of the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” could cause gusty conditions beginning on Sunday or Monday, Aug. 27 or 28, over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, as well as portions of Caraga. “The gusty conditions are more likely in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds,” it said.
PAGASA said tropical depression Goring is less likely to bring heavy rainfall over the country in the next three days. However, given the tropical cyclone's close proximity to land, any westward shift in the track forecast could bring about heavy rains over parts of the Cagayan Valley in the next three days. The public and disaster managers are advised to continue to monitor PAGASA’s updates regarding this weather disturbance. Meanwhile, starting on Sunday or Monday, the tropical depression may intensify the southwest monsoon, which could lead to the possibility of occasional rains over the western parts of Central and Southern Luzon.
PAGASA said Goring may turn southward while over the waters off the eastern coast of Cagayan Valley after a period of generally northwestward movement in the next 12 hours. “Over the next five days, the tropical cyclone will follow a generally looping track and may likely return to a more northward movement by late Monday or Tuesday (Aug. 29),” it said.
Goring may also gradually intensify during the forecast period, reaching tropical storm status Thursday night or early Friday morning. During the southward segment of its looping track, it could be upgraded to a typhoon by Sunday.
Source: mb.com.ph
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