'Chedeng' maintains strength, remains over PH Sea
Published Jun 8, 2023 01:18 am
Severe tropical storm Chedeng (international name Guchol) maintained its strength as it remained over the Philippine Sea on Thursday morning, June 8, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Chedeng is still not expected to make landfall or have a direct impact, as it will remain far from the country’s landmass.
The storm was last spotted 1,090 kilometers east of Central Luzon in the PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin.
It maintained its maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts up to 115 kph, while moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.
Even though its rainbands may not affect the country, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said Chedeng may enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which could bring rains over parts of the country, particularly the western section, as early as Saturday, June 10.
However, Estareja pointed out that the timing and intensity of the monsoon rains may still change due to the dependence of monsoon enhancement on the movement and intensity of Chedeng, as well as its interaction with the other weather systems.
The public is advised to continue to monitor PAGASA’s updates on the potential enhancement of the southwest monsoon.
A weather advisory will be issued by PAGASA should there be an increasing chance of heavy monsoon rains in the next three days.
Estareja said Chedeng will likely leave the country’s area of responsibility on Tuesday, June 13, but may continue to intensify the southwest monsoon.