Chedeng to continue enhancing Habagat despite weakening into severe tropical storm

Tropical Cyclone Chedeng (international name Guchol) weakened into a severe tropical storm Sunday afternoon as it continued to make its way north-northeast over the Philippine Sea at 25 kilometers per hour, weather service PAGASA reported in a 5 p.m. bulletin.

Chedeng was 1,210 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon at 4 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center, gustiness of up to 135 kph, and central pressure of 980 hPa.

Strong to typhoon-force winds extended outwards up to 440 kms from Chedeng's center.

Hazards

However, despite Chedeng weakening into a severe tropical storm and no tropical cyclone wind signals being raised, Chedeng would continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, bringing occasional and monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon and Visayas.

Thus, the Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan could expect monsoon rains (heavy to at times intense rains); while Metro Manila, Abra, Benguet, the rest of Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro and Northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands would experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. PAGASA added that while the effect of Chedeng on the monsoon would decrease as it moved further away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the formation of a frontal system north of Extreme Northern Luzon would continue to mainly enhance the Southwest Monsoon from Tuesday onwards and affect most of Luzon, especially the western and extreme northern portions.

Meanwhile, the Chedeng enhanced Southwest Monsoon would bring gusty conditions over the following areas for the next 2 days, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous localities exposed to winds:
• Sunday: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.
• Monday: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, northern mainland Palawan, Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, Kalayaan Islands, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

Moderate to rough seas could also be expected over the seaboard of Extreme Northern Luzon due to Chedeng. Mariners of small seacrafts were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced or ill-equipped vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions.

Projections

PAGASA expected Chedeng to continue moving away from the Philippine landmass, accelerate northeastward, and leave the PAR by Sunday night.

Chedeng was also predicted to continue weakening.

Nevertheless, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned were advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.

Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to hazards were advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. — DVM, GMA Integrated News