POSSIBLE RAINY WEEKEND. Tropical Storm Goring is projected to enhance the southwest monsoon beginning late Saturday or Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin Thursday. Heavy rainfall is possible over portions of Cagayan Valley in the next three days, it said. (Photo grabbed from PAGASA website)
MANILA – Goring has intensified into a tropical storm and could enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” beginning late Saturday or Sunday that may bring occasional rains over the western portion of Luzon, the weather bureau said Thursday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its 5 p.m. bulletin, said the weather disturbance “may result in heavy rainfall over portions of Cagayan Valley in the next three days.”
Goring packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was last tracked 265 km east of Basco, Batanes.
It is possible that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal will be be hoisted over some areas In Northern Luzon beginning Thursday night or Friday.
Goring is moving northwestward at 10 kph.
PAGASA said enhanced southwest monsoon could also cause gusty conditions beginning on Sunday or Monday over most of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
“The gusty conditions are more likely in coastal and upland/mountainous areas,” it said.
Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas will prevail over the coastal waters of extreme Northern Luzon and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan in the next 24 hours.
PAGASA advised “mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels to avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.”
Goring “may reach severe tropical storm category in the next 36 hours” and “maybe upgraded into a typhoon category by Saturday,” it added. (PNA)
