New LPA may enter PH Sunday – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday that a new low pressure area (LPA) will likely enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday.

However, this weather disturbance still has a slim chance to directly affect the country, according to weather forecaster Patrick del Mundo.

He told The Manila Times that the ridge or extension of the high pressure area (HPA) is affecting Northern Luzon over the next 24 hours.

An opposite of LPA, HPA indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings and formation of clouds is usually suppressed, thus, less chance of rains, Pagasa said.

Most likely, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have overcast skies and isolated rain showers as well as thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, the state-run weather agency said.

"We can experience a hot and humid Holy Week except for some isolated rain showers and thunderstorms that may occur during late afternoon or at night," he said.

Easterlies are winds coming from the east, passing through the Pacific Ocean and bringing warm and humid weather to the country, the state weather bureau said.

Tsunami warning after Catanduanes tremor cancelled

By Arlie O. Calalo

April 5, 2023 

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has cancelled its tsunami advisory following Tuesday night's magnitude 6.2 earthquake that hit Catanduanes in Bicol Region. Phivolcs had it initially at magnitude 6.6.

Phivolcs chief Teresito "Tito" Bacolcol said the warning was cancelled based on data from the agency's sea level monitoring stations facing the epicentral area which showed that "no significant" sea level disturbances had been recorded since the earthquake struck the town of Gigmoto at 8:54 p.m.

"With this, any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed and therefore Phivolcs has now cancelled its recommendation issued for this event," Bacolcol said.

Located 150 kilometers northeast of the provincial town, the earthquake had a depth of 72kms and was tectonic in origin, according to Phivolcs.

Nearly two hours later, Phivolcs said an aftershock with magnitude 4.9 was recorded in the same town.

Intensity 4 was felt by residents in Virac, Catanduanes; Intensity 3 in Prieto Diaz and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; San Policarpo, Eastern Samar; Allen, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose and San Roque, Northern Samar; Calbiga and City of Catbalogan, Samar;

Intensity 2 in Malinao and City of Tabaco, Albay; Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Babatngon, Dagami, Dulag, Palo, Santa Fe and Tanauan, Leyet; Tacloban City; and San Antonio, Northern Samar; and Intensity 1 in Alangalang, City of Baybay and Tabontabon, Leyte.

Meanwhile, Instrumental Intensity 2 was recorded in Legazpi City, Albay; Daet, Camarines Norte; Sipocot, Iriga City and Pili, Camarines Sur; Kananga, Dulag and Abuyog, Leyte; San Roque, Northern Samar; Bulusan and Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; and

Intensity 1 in Ragay and Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Palo and Alangalang, Leyte; Monreal and Uson, Masbate; Gumaca, Polillo, Mauban and

Guinayangan, Quezon; and Donsol, Sorsogon.

Covid vaccine-related deaths climb to 2,801

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

March 31, 2023 

A TOTAL of 2,801 Filipinos, 70 of them children, have died after they were inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine, according to a report by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A copy of FDA's "Reports of Suspected Adverse Reaction to Covid-19 Vaccines (01 March 2021 to 28 February 2023)," was obtained by The Manila Times.

According to the document, the mean or the average age of the fatal cases was 59.14, with 56.52 percent or 1, 583 of cases more than 60 years old.

It said 765 (27.31 percent) of the cases were 40 to 59 years old, and 359 (12.82 percent) were 18 to 39 years old.

The report said 53 cases (1.89 percent) were 12 to 17 years old, and 17 (0.61 percent) were 5 to 11 years old.

The age of the remaining 24 fatalities was not identified.

The FDA said the fatalities accounted for about 0.002 percent of the total vaccine doses administered.

It also said that "the reports of fatal outcomes do not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused the events."

In a previous interview, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta and PAO Forensics Division director Dr. Erwin Erfe had insisted that there must be a screening and clearance from doctors or specifically from pediatricians before an individual, who has comorbidities, is injected with a Covid-19 vaccine.

"Vaccine-related deaths could have been avoided," they said.

Rueda-Acosta and Erfe are providing legal assistance to a group of parents who have gone to court to question the legality of the government's vaccination program for minors.

Erfe has earlier argued before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that the thousands of Covid-related deaths in the country were seriously alarming and that the government's vaccination for minors must not push through.

"It's normal that there are adverse effects for every vaccine, but these must not be serious and there must be no deaths unlike with Covid-19 vaccines," said Erfe, who is also a lawyer.

Judge Maria Cherell de Castro-Sansaet has scheduled the presentation of evidence by the respondents — former Health secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire and the Department of Health Public Health Services Team — to the petition questioning the legality of vaccinating minors against Covid-19 on June 6 and June 27.

The Office of the Solicitor General is the respondents' counsel.

The petitioners are led by parents Girlie Samonte of Tondo, Manila, and Joel Corpuz of Cainta, Rizal.

Rueda-Acosta said the testimonies of at least four doctors, including Erfe, and former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong, were enough to convince the court to stop the inoculation of minors.

Hotter days ahead – Pagasa

A scientist at the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Quezon City checks and logs the current temperature and relative humidity in Metro Manila on Friday, March 24, 2023. The heat index in the metropolis was recorded at 39°C due to the high pressure area (HPA) and easterlies that resulted in the high temperature.

PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

By Arlie O. Calalo

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Tuesday urged the public to take all precautions as temperatures continue to climb.

Weather specialist Samuel Duran said the growing heat could lead to health problems.

"As much as possible, limit going outdoors but if it cannot be avoided, make sure to not stay long under the sun especially at noontime and early afternoon when the heat is most intense," he said.

"Stay hydrated and wear light colored clothes to help minimize the effect of the heat index and avoid heat exhaustion and heat cramps," Duran added.

The weather agency projected the following temperatures in these areas: Metro Manila, 24 to 34 degrees Celsius; Tagaytay City, 22 to 32 degrees Celsius; Baguio City, 16 to 26 degrees Celsius; Laoag City, 24 to 32 degrees Celsius; Legazpi City, 24 to 32 degrees Celsius; Tuguegarao City, 24 to 35 degrees Celsius; Puerto Princesa City, 26 to 33 degrees Celsius in Luzon.

In Visayas: Cebu, 26 to 32 degrees Celsius; Tacloban, 24 to 31 degrees Celsius; and Iloilo, 27 to 32 degrees Celsius. In Mindanao, Zamboanga City is expected to have 25 to 35 degrees Celsius; Cagayan de Oro, 25 to 31 degrees Celsius and Davao City, 25 to 33 degrees Celsius.

Ridge of high pressure area, easterlies affecting PH – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

GENERALLY-fair weather is expected over the next 24 hours across the country due to the ridge of the high pressure area (HPA) and easterlies which both bring hot temperatures and warm, humid conditions, the state-run-weather agency said on Wednesday.

Weather forecaster Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) stressed that there is no summer but only a warm-dry season in the country.

Filipinos are used to saying it is the summer season during the months of March, April and May since these are the hottest months in the Philippines.

But state meteorologists would always refer to this period as the dry season.

Estareja said the ridge of HPA, which is in the north Pacific Ocean, is now extending over Northern and Central Luzon.

Pagasa said the ridge refers to the extended part of an HPA or an anticyclone.

"An opposite of the low pressure area, HPA indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings. Formation of clouds is usually suppressed, thus, less chance of rains," the state weather bureau said.

Meanwhile, the easterlies -- winds coming from the east, passing through the Pacific Ocean, bringing warm and humid weather to the country – and localized thunderstorms are bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Now that the country is in the warm-dry season, isolated rain showers and thunderstorms can still be expected, especially during late afternoon and at night, according to Estareja.

La Niña ends – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has declared that the cold weather called La Niña, which has led to a number of tropical cyclones in the country, has ended after over a year.

However, this does not mean that El Niño or warm weather has begun.

"Most of the climate models predict that ENSO- neutral (neither La Niña nor El Niño) is favored from March through June this year with an increased likelihood of a transition to El Niño thereafter," according to Pagasa Administrator Vicente Malano.

Although La Niña has ended, Malano said its lingering effect may still result in above-normal rainfall conditions in the coming months, which may lead to heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides in some highly vulnerable areas.

On one hand, El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could result in dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country, he said.

In its advisory, Pagasa said the country will experience a gradual shift of wind systems as the northeast monsoon locally known as "amihan" is predicted to wane and the easterlies will become predominant this March.

Other weather systems still likely to affect the country are the ridge of high pressure areas (HPAs), low pressure areas (LPAs) and convergence zones, it said.

The state-run weather agency has predicted that at least one tropical cyclone will likely occur within this month.

Generally, most parts of the country may experience near to above-normal rainfall conditions except for some provinces over the western section of Northern Luzon and the northern part of Palawan that may receive below-normal to way below-normal rainfall within March, Pagasa said.

LPA enters, to bring rain in Mindanao

By Arlie O. Calalo

March 13, 2023 

A low pressure area (LPA) has entered the Philippines but it has a slim chance of escalating into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday.

However, the LPA, last spotted some 630 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, will bring rain in the eastern side of Mindanao, forecaster Obet Badrina said.

"Based on Pagasa's forecast track the weather disturbance is unlikely to develop into a storm but we are still monitoring its movement," Badrina said.

The weather disturbance is affecting Caraga and Davao Region where overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" is bringing cloudy skies with rains in Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Aurora and northern Quezon.

Visayas and the rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The northeast monsoon is also affecting Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains may be experienced, Pagasa said.

LPA unlikely to escalate into storm but to bring rains in Visayas, Mindanao

By Arlie O. Calalo

January 25, 2023 

THE low pressure area (LPA) off Davao City has a slim chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone although it will bring moderate to heavy rains over parts of Visayas and Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday.

Pagasa weather forecaster Patrick del Mundo told The Manila Times that the LPA, last spotted around 3 a.m. some 575 kilometers east of the city, was unlikely to develop into a tropical depression over the next 48 hours.

"But this weather disturbance will bring moderate to heavy rains over Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur," he said.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Zamboanga Peninsula, the rest of Caraga, the rest of Davao Region, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani, and South Cotabato within 24 hours, the state-run weather agency said.

"Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards," Del Mundo said.

On one hand, the northeast monsoon locally known as 'amihan' will bring overcast skies with rains over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Visayas, he said.

The weather bureau said the localized thunderstorms are affecting the rest of Mindanao and the southern portion of Palawan where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail.

2 low pressure areas inside PAR – Pagasa

 

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

TWO low pressure areas (LPAs) have been spotted inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) although the first one may dissipate in 24 hours as both are unlikely to develop into a tropical depression, the state-run weather agency said on Tuesday.

Weather forecaster Obet Badrina of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) told The Manila Times that first LPA was estimated some 290 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte while the other was at 125kms west-northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

"The LPA off Southern Leyte, which has been inside PAR for over a week, may eventually dissipate," said Badrina as he added that the other weather disturbance will also likely follow.

The Pagasa weatherman reiterated that the two LPAs would not have a chance to escalate into tropical cyclones.

However, the LPA and the shear line are bringing cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Bicol Region and Quezon, according to the 11 a.m. advisory of the weather bureau.

LPA enters PAR but less likely to develop into a tropical depression – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

December 21, 2022

A low pressure area (LPA) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but has less chance of turning into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours, the state-run weather agency said on Wednesday.

The LPA was spotted past 3 a.m. some 210 kilometers east-northeast of Davao City, according to weather forecaster Grace Castañeda of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

She said the weather disturbance was less likely to escalate into a storm over the next two days but it may bring rain over Visayas and Mindanao.

Pagasa said the shear line, the point where the cold and warm air converge, is affecting the eastern section of Southern Luzon while the northeast monsoon locally known as "amihan" is affecting the rest of Luzon.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the trough of LPA and localized thunderstorms, the weather bureau said.

LPA to enter PH, may escalate into tropical depression – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

THE state-run weather agency said on Thursday that a low pressure area (LPA) still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) may develop into a tropical depression once it enters the country and would be named "Rosal".

Weather specialist Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) told The Manila Times that the LPA was last spotted some 1, 265 kilometers east of Mindanao (outside PAR).

He said its trough or extension is affecting the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao where cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the shear line or the point where the warm and cold air converge is bringing rains over Northern Luzon particularly in Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte, Pagasa said.

Quoting Pagasa's latest forecast, Estareja said the LPA will likely enter within the day (Thursday) and will move towards Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.

"It has a moderate chance to become a tropical cyclone," said Estareja although he declined to say if this would further escalate into a tropical storm in the coming days.

In case the LPA will develop into a storm, it will have a domestic name of "Rosal", the 18th cyclone this year and the first this month, the Pagasa forecaster said.

Over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, the weather bureau said generally fair weather is likely over the next 24 hours although partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may be experienced in late afternoon and night time due to the localized thunderstorms.

ABS-CBN, TV5 drop merger deal

By Aric John Sy Cua  and Arlie O. Calalo 

RIVAL networks ABS-CBN and TV5 have called off the investment deal they signed earlier following an initiative in the House of Representatives to have the agreement investigated.

Competing cable companies Sky Cable and Cignal have also terminated their deal.

In a statement it released on Thursday, ABS-CBN said: "In disclosures to both the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Commission today, Sky Vision Corporation ('Sky Vision'), ABS-CBN Corporation, Lopez Inc. and Cignal Cable Corporation ('Cignal Cable') announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the sale and purchase agreement dated August 10, 2022."

The agreement involved the acquisition by Cignal Cable of a 38.88-percent equity interest in Sky Cable and the subscription by Cignal Cable to an "exchangeable debt instrument to be issued by Sky Vision and the proposed acquisition by Cignal Cable of a convertible note issued by Sky Cable."

ABS-CBN said that the termination was formalized through a memorandum of agreement.

In a separate disclosure, the two networks said they have "mutually agreed to terminate" their agreement covering the proposed acquisition by ABS-CBN of 34.99-percent equity interest in TV5 and the subscription by ABS-CBN to a "convertible note" to be issued by TV5.

TV5 has been broadcasting some ABS-CBN shows after the franchise of the former media flagship of the Lopezes was not renewed in 2020.

The two networks then revealed they were working out some kind of a merger.

Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who was at the forefront of the campaign to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise, promptly declared he will have the House investigate the deal.

Another critic of the merger, lawyer Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon, said on Thursday TV5 might have eventually realized that the agreement could jeopardize the company's future.

"What cannot be done directly, cannot be done indirectly," Gadon told The Manila Times.

"The TV5-ABS-CBN deal on the sale of 35 percent stockholdings may cause the revocation of the franchise of TV5 or may cause the denial of its application for a renewal once its franchise expires," he said.

Gadon ran for senator last May under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the party of the father of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.

He said that because the ABS-CBN is tainted with foreign funds, "the whole equity of TV5 will also become tainted with foreign funds."

Such a merger will also violate the constitutional requirement that a mass media organization must be fully Filipino owned, he said.

LPA continues to bring rain over Caraga, Davao but fair weather forecast in most of PH

By Arlie O. Calalo November 4, 2022 

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday that the low pressure area (LPA), formerly Tropical Storm "Queenie" continues to bring rain and thunderstorms over the Caraga and Davao Regions over the last 24 hours.

Weather forecaster Daniel James Villamil said the LPA was last spotted some 140 kilometers southeast of Davao City.

The weather disturbance is bringing rain and thunderstorms over Caraga and Davao.

Meanwhile, generally fair weather can be experienced over the next 24 hours in most parts of the country, the Pagasa forecaster said.

He said Pagasa has not monitored any other weather disturbances that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until the weekend.

The state-run weather agency said localized thunderstorms are affecting Metro Manila and the rest of the country where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may be experienced

'Paeng' to exit Monday

By Arlie O. Calalo 

The weather bureau on Sunday lowered storm signals as Tropical Storm Paeng exited Luzon although it has yet to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that "Paeng" will leave PAR on Monday.

Signal No. 2 remains hoisted in Pangasinan, La Union, the southern portion of Ilocos Sur (City of Candon, Banayoyo, Galimuyod, Sigay, Suyo, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Alilem, Tagudin, Sugpon, Cervantes, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Salcedo, Lidlidda, San Emilio, Santiago, Burgos, Santa Maria, San Esteban), Benguet, Tarlac, Zambales, the western portion of Bataan (Morong, Bagac, Dinalupihanullet and Hermosa), the western portion of Pampanga (Floridablanca, Mabalacat City, Magalang, Angeles City and Porac), and the northwestern portion of Nueva Ecija (Guimba, Cuyapo, Talugtug and Nampicuan).

Signal No. 1 is still up in Metro Manila, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Aurora, the rest of Nueva Ecija, the rest of Pampanga, Bulacan, the rest of Bataan, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon including Pollilo Islands, Marinduque, the northwestern portion of Romblon (Concepcion, Banton and Corcuera), Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, Camarines Norte, and the northwestern portion of Camarines Sur (Lupi, Ragay, Del Gallego and Sipocot).

"Tropical Storm Paeng has exited the landmass of Luzon and it will track generally westward until this Sunday afternoon before turning north-northwestward," Pagasa said. "Paeng will likely exit PAR Monday morning or afternoon," it added.

In the next 12 hours, moderate to heavy rain may prevail in Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Pangasinan, Batanes, and the northern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands while light to moderate with at times heavy rain is likely in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Camarines Provinces, Western Visayas, the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

Except in areas with significant antecedent rainfall or those still experiencing persistent heavy rainfall, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely to slowly subside, Pagasa said.

LPA off Eastern Visayas may become tropical depression in 24 hours – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo October 26, 2022 

THE low pressure area (LPA) off Eastern Visayas has a big chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours and it will be named "Paeng", the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday.

The LPA was last spotted at about 3 a.m. some 1,010kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, according to weather forecaster John Rey Bagalanon.

Bagalanon told The Manila Times that the shear line, the point where the cold and warm air converges, is affecting Southern Luzon.

The state-run weather agency said the trough or the extension of the LPA is bringing rain and thunderstorms over Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" is bringing cloudy skies with rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon, Pagasa said

LPA likely to enter PAR, to be named 'Paeng'

 

By Arlie O. Calalo October 23, 2022 

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is closely monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) that may enter the country in 36 hours and escalate into a tropical depression.

Weather specialist Benison Estareja told The Manila Times that the LPA was last spotted 1,460 kilometers east of Mindanao.

Once it enters the country, the LPA will be named Paeng.

"Based on Pagasa's forecast track, this may approach the landmass and make landfall somewhere in Luzon or Eastern Visayas by Thursday," Estareja said.

The weather agency said the inter-tropical convergence zone is affecting Mindanao where cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region will likely have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

'Karding' intensifies, on track to West PH Sea

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

TROPICAL Storm "Karding" has slightly intensified while it continues tracking over the West Philippine Sea, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

Senior weather specialist Raymond Ordinario of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Karding is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was estimated some 970 km east of Northern Luzon while gradually accelerating toward the east coast or Aurora, Ordinario said.

Pagasa said tropical cyclone wind signals may be hoisted as early as Friday night over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon, he said.

"Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Signal No. 3," the Pagasa weatherman added.

He said Karding is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon as a severe tropical storm.

"After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, the tropical cyclone will continue tracking over the West Philippine Sea," the Pagasa forecaster said.

Due to the southwest monsoon locally known as "habagat" partly influenced by the tropical storm, occasional rains are also possible beginning Sunday over most of Southern Luzon including Metro Manila and Visayas, especially over their western sections.

Over the next 24 hours, Pagasa said the trough of Karding and habagat will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Visayas, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Zambales and Bataan.

On one hand, Metro Manila and the rest of the country might have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the localized thunderstorms.