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