LPA in Cagayan now a tropical depression named Florita

The low pressure area located east of Aparri, Cagayan has developed into a tropical depression on Sunday morning and is now called “Florita,” state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In a Facebook post, PAGASA said the LPA became a tropical depression at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

PAGASA weather specialist Daniel Villamil said Florita was located at 660 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City. 

He said landfall is possible in Northern Luzon and there may be rains in the coming days.

“Hindi natin tinatanggal ‘yung posibilidad noong nasabing bagyo na mag-landfall dito sa Northern Luzon area at magdala ng mga pag-ulan dito sa Central Luzon,” Villamil said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(We are not eliminating the possibility of the said tropical depression making landfall here in the Northern Luzon area and bringing rains here in Central Luzon.)

“May nakikita rin tayong posibilidad ng enhancement o pag-iral ng hanging Habagat sa mga susunod na araw dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon at Visayas areas,” he added.

(We also see the possibility of the enhancement of the Habagat [southwest monsoon] in the next few days here in large parts of Luzon and Visayas areas.)

Villamil also noted that the effects of Florita will be experienced starting on Monday in several parts of Luzon.

No tropical cyclone wind signal raised yet

In its first bulletin on the tropical depression, PAGASA said Florita is not yet directly affecting the country, thus no tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) is currently raised.

“However, there is a high likelihood that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals will be hoisted for Northern Luzon and several provinces in Central Luzon due to the threat of strong to storm-force winds associated with the passage of Florita,” it added.

PAGASA noted that the highest possible wind signal that may be raised is TCWS  number 2.

Meanwhile, areas situated in the eastern section of Northern Luzon may be placed under TCWS number 1 as early as Sunday afternoon.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also prevail over the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon early Monday morning through afternoon.

The passage of Florita over the northern portion of Luzon on Monday evening to Tuesday evening may also bring heavy to intense rains over the Northern and Central Luzon, according to the state weather bureau.

Due to this, scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.

Coastal waters

The seas will be moderate to rough (1.2 to 2.8 meters) over the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon due to Florita.

This may then be risky for those using small seacraft, while mariners are advised to take precautionary measures or avoid navigating in these conditions.

Track, intensity

Florita is expected to decelerate generally southwestward in the next 12 hours before turning westward on Monday toward Northern Luzon, PAGASA said.

Based on the forecast track, the center of this tropical cyclone may make landfall in the vicinity of Cagayan or northern portion of Isabela on Tuesday morning or afternoon.

Afterwards, the center of Florita will move west northwestward and cross several provinces in Northern Luzon before emerging over the West Philippine Sea by Tuesday evening or Wednesday early morning.

This tropical cyclone is also forecast to reach tropical storm category in the next 36 hours and may reach peak intensity of 75 km/h prior to making landfall on Tuesday morning or afternoon.

“Slight weakening is likely as it crosses the Northern Luzon, but it is forecast to remain within the tropical storm category,” PAGASA said. —KG, GMA News