Egay now a tropical storm; Habagat to affect parts of Visayas, Mindanao

Tropical Depression Egay intensified on Saturday morning and has become a tropical storm (international name: Doksuri), PAGASA said in its bulletin.

Egay continued to move west northwestward as it maintained its strength.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Egay may enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) during the weekend and next week.

The enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring gusty conditions over the following areas:

• the western and southern portions of Visayas;
• the northern portions of Northern Mindanao;
• Caraga;
• Romblon; and
• Masbate.

However, no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal was issued.

In anticipation of the arrival of strong breeze to near-gale conditions associated with Egay, PAGASA said wind signals may be hoisted within the day or Sunday in some areas in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

Hazards on coastal waters

Egay on Sunday may bring moderate to rough seas (2.0 to 3.0 m) over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Mariners of small seacraft are thus advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea.

According to PAGASA, Egay is forecast to track generally west northwestward or westward on Saturday and Sunday before turning northwestward for the remainder of the forecast period.

PAGASA added that the current forecast track indicates that Egay will remain offshore over the Philippine Sea.

The forecast confidence cone also showed that a landfall scenario over the northern portion of Northern Luzon is not ruled out at this time.

EGAY is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau said.

Location of eye/center

The center of Egay was estimated based on all available data at 750 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (14.4 °N, 131.1 °E ).

It is moving westward slowly, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA Integrated News