Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 may be hoisted over the eastern portions of Visayas and Mindanao as early as Tuesday afternoon or evening, Dec. 14, due to the anticipated impact of the tropical storm with an international name "Rai."
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm remains outside the country's area of responsibility or at 1,585 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 13.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 80 kph while moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.
"Tropical storm Rai is forecast to move west-northwestward while gradually intensifying and enter the Philippine area of responsibility as a severe tropical storm tomorrow evening (Dec. 14). Once inside PAR, the domestic name 'Odette' will be assigned to this tropical cyclone," PAGASA said in an advisory at 11 p.m.
"Rai will begin moving westward over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning (Dec. 15) and may make landfall in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas by Thursday afternoon or evening (Dec. 16)," it added.
Due to favorable atmospheric conditions, PAGASA said the cyclone will likely further intensify and reach typhoon status before its landfall.
"A pre-landfall peak intensity of around 155 kph may be reached by Thursday afternoon," PAGASA pointed out.
"There is a high likelihood that tropical cyclone wind Signals will be hoisted over Visayas, large portions of Mindanao, and several provinces in Southern Luzon due to the threat of strong to typhoon-force winds associated with the passage of Rai," it added.
PAGASA said the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted will be Signal No. 3, while localities situated in the eastern portions of Visayas and Mindanao may be placed under Signal No. 1 as early as Tuesday afternoon or evening.
The State weather bureau warned that the passage of the tropical cyclone over the central part of the Philippine archipelago may bring heavy to torrential rainfall over Visayas, Mindanao, and several provinces in southern Luzon.
"Coastal inundation due to high waves near the coast and storm surge are also possible for low-lying localities near and along the path of the typhoon," PAGASA said.
It also advised residents in the northern and eastern portions of northern Luzon and the eastern portion of Central Luzon to take precautions against possible heavy rainfall due to the impact of the shear line, also known as the tail-end of frontal system, that may be enhanced during and after the passage of the tropical cyclone.