TD Falcon slightly accelerates as it targets extreme North Luzon

Tropical Depression Falcon slightly accelerated late Monday morning while maintaining its strength and may intensify into a tropical storm on Wednesday, state weather forecasters said.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said Falcon was at 940 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, or 1,150 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, packing maximum winds of up to 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 60 km/h.

The cyclone is moving north northwest at 25 km/h.

"'FALCON' may intensify into a Tropical Storm before approaching or making landfall over Extreme Northern Luzon on Wednesday afternoon or evening," PAGASA said, adding tropical cyclone wind signal may be raised over Northern Luzon on Tuesday.

Rains

PAGASA said scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms will be experienced over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas due to Falcon's trough and over Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, MIMAROPA, and the rest of Visayas due to the Southwest Monsoon.

On Tuesday, light to moderate with occasional heavy monsoon rains will prevail over MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro, while on Wednesday, moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Zambales, Bataan and Mindoro provinces due to the combined effects of Falcon and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with occasional heavy monsoon rains will prevail over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, and the rest of Central Luzon and MIMAROPA.

PAGASA urged residents in these areas, especially those living in areas identified to be at risk of flooding and landslides, to "take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, especially the Thunderstorm Advisories and Heavy Rainfall Warnings to be issued by PAGASA Regional Services Divisions."

Falcon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning. —KBK, GMA News