PAGASA: 'Auring' slightly intensifies but still a tropical depression
MANILA, Philippines — (Update 2, 7:59 p.m.) State weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday afternoon said Tropical Depression Auring has slightly intensified but remains in the said category, and is seen to make landfall over the Caraga region by weekend.
The first tropical cyclone for the country this 2020 entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 8 a.m. this morning, based on PAGASA's report.
Some hours later, it would grow to now have 55 kilometers per hour peak winds near the center and 70 kph gustiness.
Joey Figuracion, a weather specialist for the agency, said Auring was last spotted at 700 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.
It has yet to affect any parts of the country, but the tail end of a frontal system continues to prevail over eastern Visayas and southern Luzon, while the northeast monsoon or the amihan is being felt over the rest of Luzon.
PAGASA said there continues to be a significant "forecast error" or uncertainty over Auring's track as it is still far from land mass, but it is expected to make landfall over the Caraga by evening of February 20 or morning of February 21.
The Philippines last year saw 22 typhoons battering it, from the usual average of just 20 annually. Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vamco), was deemed the most destructive and had the highest death toll of 101, but before it came Super Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni), considered as the world's strongest in 2020.
The consecutive storms to hit Luzon in a short period of time had left many provinces submerged, causing billions in damage and forcing government to place it under a state of calamity.
Forecast positions
- 24 hours (Thursday morning): 680 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
- 48 hours (Friday morning): 515 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
- 72 hours (Saturday morning): 290 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
- 96 hours (Sunday morning): In the vicinity of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte
- 120 hours (Monday morning): In the vicinity of Maasin, Iloilo
— Xave Gregorio
Follow this thread for updates on Auring, the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines this year. (Main photo: JMA)
The number of missing residents due to tropical cyclone Auring grows to four, according to the NDRRMC.
Search and rescue operations for the missing persons from a capsized boat in Surigao del Norte are ongoing.
The NDRRMC also records 1 death due to drowning and two injured — one due to galvanized iron sheets and the other struck by lightning.
"Auring" weakens into a low pressure area as it moves towards the eastern coast of Albay.
State weather bureau PAGASA says the weather disturbance may traverse Bicol Region, southern Quezon, Marinduque and northern Mindoro in the next 24 hours.
At 1 p.m., it was located over the coastal waters of Rapu-Rapu, Albay.
Tropical Depression Auring has made landfall over Batag Island in Laoang, Northern Samar at 9 a.m., PAGASA says.
At 9:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression #AuringPH made landfall over Batag Island, Laoang, Northern Samar.
Posted by Dost_pagasa on Sunday, 21 February 2021
Tropical Depression Auring is expected to make landfall over the Dinagat Islands-Eastern Samar-Leyte area in the next 6 to 12 hours.
State weather bureau PAGASA says the weather disturbance is likely to further weaken before it makes landfall due to persistent high vertical wind shear brought about by the northeast monsoon or amihan.
At 4 a.m., Auring was located 195 km east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte with winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 55 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 15 kph.
PAGASA says Tropical Storm Auring has slightly weakened while moving northwestward.
As of 4 p.m. Saturday, the eye of Auring was spotted 440 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Moving northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour, it has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
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