A low pressure area (LPA) southeast of Palau outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression (TD), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday.
As of 10 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was estimated to be 2,095 kilometers east of Mindanao, outside the PAR, according to the weather bureau’s latest weather bulletin.
It has maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, with gusts up to 55 kph, and its current movement is almost stationary, according to the report.
“The tropical depression is forecast to move generally west northwestward over the next three days and may enter the PAR on Tuesday,” the PAGASA said. “Once inside the PAR, the domestic name “Odette” will be assigned to this tropical cyclone”.
The tropical cyclone will begin to move westward and may make landfall over the Eastern Visayas-Caraga region by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, according to the forecast.
The tropical depression is expected to gradually intensify and could become a tropical storm within the next 24 hours.
The current track and intensity forecast indicate that a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) will be issued for the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao.
The strongest wind signal that could be issued for this tropical cyclone is TCWS #4.
Given these developments, PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to continue monitoring for updates on this tropical cyclone.
The next tropical cyclone advisory will be issued at 11 p.m. on the Sunday.