Tropical depression “Isang” has accelerated while maintaining its strength on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 19, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The state weather bureau estimated the center of Isang at 1,280 kilometers (km) east of Northern Luzon as of 4 p.m.
It still packed maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph, while moving west northwestward at 30 kph.
“‘Isang’ remains unlikely to directly affect the weather condition in the country throughout the forecast period,” PAGASA said.
“The latest forecast scenario for ‘Isang’ shows that the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals over any land area in the country remains unlikely,” it added.
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NO. 2 Tropical Depression “#IsangPH” Issued at 5PM, 19 Aug 2021 Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin at 11PM today. TROPICAL DEPRESSION “ISANG” ACCELERATES WHILE MAINTAINING ITS STRENGTH. Link: https://t.co/nOU97294Wi pic.twitter.com/XXiuBbhPui
— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) August 19, 2021
Based on the forecast track, the tropical depression is forecast to remain far from the country’s landmass.
It will move generally northwestward until Saturday afternoon, Aug. 21, north northwestward by Sunday, Aug. 22, then northward by Monday, Aug. 23.
State meteorologists said the tropical depression is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday morning or afternoon.
It noted that the weather system will likely remain a tropical depression and may weaken into a low pressure area by Monday or possible earlier.
Meanwhile, the agency said easterlies will continue to affect the country.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies.