Tropical Storm (TS) Chedeng slightly intensified, but the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals remains unlikely, the weather bureau said Wednesday afternoon. Chedeng now packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin. PAGASA added that Chedeng could possibly enhance the southwest monsoon, but the likelihood of intermittent wind gusts resulting from the monsoon winds could still change. Monsoon enhancement still depends on the movement and intensity of Chedeng and its interaction with other weather systems around it. Chedeng also remains unlikely to cause rough sea condition over the coastal waters of the country in the next 24 hours. The TS was last tracked 1,150 km. east of southeastern Luzon, and is forecast to remain far from the landmass. PAGASA is expecting Chedeng to intensify in the next three to four days. Forecast shows Chedeng could possibly reach severe tropical storm category by Wednesday night or Thursday, and to typhoon category by late Thursday or Friday. Meanwhile, Palawan is still forecast to experience rain showers and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon. Flash floods or landslides are possible due to moderate to at times heavy rains. The rest of the country will continue to experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas still prevail across the archipelago, PAGASA said.
Source: Philippines News Agency