TD Ada moving slowly over Philippine Sea — PAGASA

January 16 ------ Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen) remained over the Philippine Sea early Friday, Jan. 16, as it continued to move at a slow pace, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. As of 5 a.m., the center of Ada was estimated at 370 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, or 430 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

The cyclone is moving north-northwestward slowly. PAGASA said Ada is forecast to move generally northwestward through Saturday, Jan. 17, before turning slowly north-northwestward to northeastward by Sunday, Jan. 18. Beginning Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, the tropical cyclone is expected to move southeastward while remaining over the sea east of Bicol Region.

On the forecast track, the center of Ada may pass close to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar on Saturday and near Catanduanes by Sunday. A further westward shift in the track could result in a possible landfall over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region, PAGASA said, adding that the track forecast may change in succeeding bulletins, especially for the Saturday or Sunday period.

As of Friday, Ada has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to remain a tropical storm while moving over the sea east of the Visayas and Southern Luzon, but it may weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the eastern portion of Camarines Norte (Mercedes, Basud, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons); Camarines Sur; Catanduanes; Albay; Sorsogon; eastern portion of mainland Masbate (Pio V. Corpuz, Cataingan, Palanas, Dimasalang, Uson, Mobo, City of Masbate, Baleno, Aroroy), including Ticao and Burias Islands; Northern Samar; Samar; Eastern Samar; Biliran; northern and central portions 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, Kananga, Capoocan, Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Burauen, Ormoc City, Matag-ob, Villaba, Albuera, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, City of Baybay); eastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago, Sogod, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Anahawan, San Juan, Liloan, San Ricardo, San Francisco, Pintuyan); Dinagat Islands; Surigao del Norte; and Surigao del Sur.

PAGASA said Signal No. 1 indicates possible minimal to minor wind impacts, with stronger winds likely in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to the prevailing wind direction, while winds may be weaker in sheltered areas. The highest wind signal that may be raised during the passage of Ada is Wind Signal No. 2.

PAGASA said Ada may also bring rains over Eastern Visayas, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. Scattered rains and thunderstorms may prevail over Northern Mindanao, the rest of the Visayas, the rest of the Bicol Region, the rest of Caraga, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” may bring light rains over the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Aurora. Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, and the rest of Central Luzon may also experience isolated light monsoon rains.

Source: mb.com.ph