Signal No. 1 up in 11 areas as 'Ada' gains strength

MANILA, Philippines, January 15 ------ Tropical Depression Ada slightly intensified as it moved over the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao on Thursday morning, January 15, with Signal No. 1 remaining hoisted over 11 areas, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. In its latest weather bulletin. PAGASA said the center of Ada was last located 385 kilometers east-northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, or 465 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

Ada is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph and a central pressure of 1000 hPa. It is moving northwestward at 20 kph, with strong winds extending up to 400 kilometers from its center.

Warning signal

The following areas are under Signal No. 1:

Luzon

Sorsogon

southeastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Manito, Legazpi City)

Visayas

Northern Samar

Samar

Eastern Samar

eastern portion of Biliran (Maripipi, Kawayan, Culaba, Caibiran, Cabucgayan)

eastern portion of Leyte (Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Tunga, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe, Palo, Dagami, Pastrana, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Julita, Dulag, Tolosa, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag)

eastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago, Sogod, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Anahawan, San Juan, Liloan, San Ricardo, San Francisco, Pintuyan)

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

PAGASA said that areas under Signal No. 1 may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds, which could be stronger in coastal and upland communities exposed to the prevailing breeze. The state weather bureau said forecast rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is expected over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The northeast monsoon and the periphery of Ada will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas not under wind signal:

Thursday, January 15: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, northern and eastern mainland Cagayan, eastern Isabela, Aurora, most of CALABARZON, Lubang Islands, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region and Central Visayas

Friday, January 16: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, northern and eastern mainland Cagayan, eastern Isabela, Aurora, most of CALABARZON, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, most of Visayas and most of Caraga.

Saturday, January 17: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Abra, northern and eastern mainland Cagayan, eastern Isabela, Aurora, most of CALABARZON, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, most of Visayas and most of Caraga.

Track, intensity

PAGASA on Thursday warned that Tropical Depression Ada may still bring heavy rains and strong winds even to areas outside its forecast path. The weather bureau said Ada will generally move northwestward until Sunday, January 18, before turning north-northeastward by Monday, January 19. On its current track, the cyclone may pass near Eastern Samar and Northern Samar on Friday, January 16, or early Saturday, January 17, then head toward Catanduanes. PAGASA said Ada may make a close approach to Catanduanes on Sunday morning, adding that a slight westward shift could result in a possible landfall over Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region. Ada is expected to reach tropical storm strength within the day and continue to gradually intensify over the Philippine Sea.

Source: philstar.com