More areas were placed under tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 20, as tropical storm “Auring” moves closer towards the country.
However, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm is more likely to weaken into tropical depression before making landfall over Caraga area.
PAGASA said Auring has slightly weakened with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
The center of the storm was estimated at 440 km East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4 p.m., and has begun to move in a northwestward direction at 15 kph.
“It will likely further weaken to Low Pressure Area by Monday due to significant terrain interaction and persistent vertical wind shear during this passage over the archipelago,” PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin.
Auring is forecast to make landfall over the Dinagat-Homonhon-Leyte area on Sunday evening or Monday early morning, before crossing Visayas and the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) region.
Signal no. 1 was hoisted over the following areas:
Luzon
The southeastern portion of Masbate (Cataingan, Cawayan, Dimasalang, Esperanza, Palanas, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer)
Visayas
Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, and the northern portion of Negros Occidental (Bacolod City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, Escalante City, Manapla, Murcia, Sagay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Silay City, Talisay City, Toboso, Victorias City)
Mindanao
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, and Bukidnon
PAGASA has lifted the storm signal in Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.
Moderate to heavy rains may be experienced in the Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Eastern Visayas on Sunday.
Also during this time, light to moderate with at times heavy rains would be felt in Northern Mindanao, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Quezon, and the rest of Visayas and Caraga.
By Monday, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may occur in Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and the southern portion of Quezon due to the combined effects of the weather disturbance and the Shear Line.
Auring is forecast to continue moving generally in the northwest direction throughout the forecast period.
By Sunday afternoon, the storm will be 145 km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. It will further head northwest and will be 60 km southwest of Romblon, Romblon by Monday afternoon.