Cyclone outside PAR strengthens into tropical storm 'Nuri,' still unlikely to enter
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, March 11, said the tropical depression being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical storm and was given the international name “Nuri,”
PAGASA weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said the weather disturbance still has a slim chance of entering the PAR and is not expected to directly affect the country.
As of 3 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Nuri was estimated at 1,290 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was moving slowly southwestward.
Although the tropical storm is forecast to stay outside the PAR, Dominguez said its trough or extension may continue to bring rains over parts of the eastern section of Mindanao.
Scattered moderate to heavy rains may persist in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan,” continues to prevail over Luzon and the Visayas.
Due to the amihan, light rains may affect Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora, while Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and the Visayas may experience isolated light rains.
The rest of Mindanao may have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorm activity.