Most parts of Visayas and Mindanao were placed under signal number 1 as tropical storm “Auring” maintained its strength Friday, Feb. 19, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In its 11:00 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Auring was monitored at 435 kilometers (km) East Southeast of Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
The storm is almost stationary.
The state weather bureau said “Auring” is more likely to remain as a tropical storm category throughout its passage over the archipelago.
However, the possibility of it intensifying into a severe tropical storm before landfall is not yet being ruled out as of this time.
“While crossing the archipelago, “Auring” will likely weaken due to significant terrain interaction and persistent vertical wind shear. It is likely for this storm to reach the tropical depression category by Tuesday,” the agency said.
Signal number 1 has been raised in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor in the Visayas.
Areas in Mindanao which are also under signal number 1 are Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, “Auring” will move generally in the northwest direction and will accelerate over the next three days.
“Its center is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Caraga Region on Sunday morning or afternoon, then cross Visayas and the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) region throughout the remainder of Sunday through Monday morning,” it said.
As “Auring” further moves inland in the next several hours, heavy to intense rains may be experienced over Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands from Saturday to Sunday.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may be felt in the rest of Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
The Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, the rest of Northern Mindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, and Davao City will have light to moderate with at times heavy rains over.
By Sunday to Monday, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced in Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Romblon.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be expected in Zamboanga Peninsula, the southern portion of Quezon, Marinduque, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Cotabato, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, and the rest of Bicol Region, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao.