Tropical Depression (TD) Goring could reach typhoon category by Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said Goring may steadily intensify throughout the forecast period and could reach the tropical storm category either Thursday night or early Friday. No tropical cyclone wind signal is hoisted on any part of the country, but PAGASA expects the hoisting of wind signals over some areas in Northern Luzon beginning Thursday night. PAGASA said Goring could also enhance the southwest monsoon, which could cause occasional rains over the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon beginning Sunday. The TD is less likely to bring heavy rains for the next three days, the weather bureau added but PAGASA warned that any westward shift in the track forecast may result in heavy rainfall over Cagayan Valley. The TD was last tracked 355 km. east northeast of Calayan, Cagayan or 300 km. east of Basco, Batanes, moving north-northwestward at 15 kph. It packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph
Source: Philippines News Agency