The trough or extension of the severe tropical storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) will bring cloudy skies and rain showers in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region in the next 24 hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the severe tropical storm with the international name "Rai" was located 1,000 kilometers (km) east of Mindanao or outside the PAR.
It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 125 kph and is moving west-northwest at 25 kph.
"Bagamat wala pang warning signals sa anumang bahagi ng ating bansa, ‘yung trough o extension nito ay inaasahan ngang magdudulot na ng maulap na kalangitan, pag-ulan, pagkidlat, at pagkulog ngayong gabi sa eastern Visayas, Caraga, at Davao region (Though there are no warning signals raised in the country, its trough or extension is already expected to bring cloudy skies, rain showers, and thunderstorms in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao region tonight, Dec. 14),” said PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez in the latest public weather forecast.
"Inaasahan natin na ngayong gabi ay papasok na ito ng ating area of responsibility (It is expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility tonight, Dec. 14)," Perez said, adding that the cyclone will be given the domestic name "Odette" once it enters the PAR.
PAGASA advised travelers and residents in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region to remain vigilant and prepared against a "possible landfall scenario."
"Yung sentro ng bagyo ay tatawirin itong Visayas area at mag-eexit ng landmass via the Palawan area. Mapapansin din natin ‘yung posibleng landfall dito sa Surigao del Norte area, subalit pinapakita nitong ating area of probability ‘yung posibilidad na bahagyang kumilos pahilaga at tumama sa bandang eastern Visayas o bandang pa-timog at tumama sa Surigao del Sur (The center of the cyclone will cross the Visayas area and will make an exit via the Palawan area. We have also noticed the possibility of a landfall scenario in Surigao del Norte area. However, the area of probability showed the possibility that it will move northward and land in eastern Visayas or move to south and hit the Surigao del Sur landmass),” Perez explained.
Those in the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, southern Luzon, and Bicol were also advised to be prepared against the possible impacts of the cyclone.
PAGASA said the weather disturbance may intensify further into a typhoon before its landfall in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas by Thursday afternoon or evening, Dec. 16.
The highest tropical cyclone wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 3.
However, as early as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, Dec. 15, there remains a possibility of raising Signal No. 1 in Eastern Visayas or Mindanao as early as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, Dec. 15. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)