A tropical cyclone is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds to the Visayas, the northeastern part of Mindanao, and Southern Luzon starting on Tuesday, December 24, until Thursday, December 26.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical depression is now 2,375 kilometers east of Mindanao, moving west northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h).
It has maximum winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 60 km/h.
The weather disturbance is forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Christmas eve or right on Christmas Day.
Once it enters PAR, the tropical depression will be called “Ursula.”
PAGASA advised sea travelers “to exercise extra caution” from December 24 to 26 “due to potentially rough seas over the coastal waters of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.”
The state weather bureau is also monitoring the low pressure area (LPA) inside PAR.
The LPA is now 605 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
PAGASA said the LPA is unlikely to become a tropical depression.IMT
