Tropical storm “Auring” has slightly weakened over Philippine Sea and may further lose strength ahead of its landfall over Caraga Region on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Auring had a maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 (kph).
As of 4 a.m., the center of the storm was spotted at 475 km East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, and its movement is almost stationary.
The state weather bureau said Auring is more likely to remain as a tropical storm until it makes landfall over Caraga.
But it noted that there is an increasing likelihood that the storm will further weaken into a tropical depression before making landfall.
“Nevertheless, this storm will likely weaken considerably due to significant terrain interaction and persistent vertical wind shear during this passage over the archipelago and may reach tropical depression category on Monday,” PAGASA said.
Auring 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.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 has been raised over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor, 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.
The storm is forecast remain almost stationary in the next six to 12 hours before gradually accelerating towards the northwest.
From Saturday noon through Sunday morning, heavy to intense rains may be experienced over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains would be felt in Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and the rest of Caraga.
During the same time, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and the rest of Northern Mindanao would be affected by light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
By Sunday morning through Monday, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may be experienced over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains would be felt over Bicol Region, Mimaropa region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, the southern portion of Quezon, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and the rest of Visayas and Caraga.
Based on the forecast track, Auring will 265 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Sunday morning, and will further move Northwestward at 100 km East Southeast of Roxas City by Monday morning.
By Tuesday, the storm will further weaken into a low pressure area upon reaching 85 km Northwest of Coron, Palawan.