Catanduanes under Signal no. 1 as TD “Luis” intensifies into tropical storm

MANILA — The province of Catanduanes is now placed under public storm warning Signal No. 1 as tropical depression “Luis” has intensified into a tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday.

PAGASA defines a tropical storm as moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kph (25 to 75 mph).

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran said that as of 4:00 p.m., Tropical Storm “Luis” was estimated based on all available data at 660 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (14.0°N, 130.9°E) packed with maximum winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 26 kph.

If it maintains its speed and movement, Duran said tropical storm “Luis” is expected to make landfall in Isabela Province by Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Duran said the tropical storm will enhance the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” which is expected to bring light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Visayas, Mindanao and the province of Quezon.

He added the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The state weather bureau also issued gale warning — strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm “Luis” will affect the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao.

”Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” the agency said.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate.