'Chedeng' intensifies slightly; 6 areas under Signal 1

Published May 24, 2011 5:33pm

At least six areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as Tropical Storm Chedeng (Songda) slightly intensified Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Chedeng was 450 km east northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar or at 510 km east of Catarman, Northen Samar as of 4 p.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 115 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph, and moving west northwest at 13 kph. The areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

Catanduanes

Camarines Sur

Camarines Norte

Albay

Sorsogon

Samar provinces Chedeng was forecast to be 300 km east northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar on Wednesday afternoon and 190 km north of Virac, Catanduanes or 250 km east southeast of Casiguran, Aurora Thursday afternoon. By Friday afternoon, it is forecast to be 110 km north of Casiguran, Aurora or 60 km southeast of Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Also, PAGASA said Chedeng is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the 3 p.m. update of Philippine weather site Typhoon2000 said Chedeng packed maximum winds of 120 kph and was moving west northwest at 15 kph. On the other hand, the 2:50 p.m. update of Japan Meteorological Agency said Chedeng was moving west northwest at 15 kph and may reach northeast Luzon Friday. JMA's projections said Chedeng may become "very strong" by Friday. â€” RSJ, GMA News

Tags: stormchedeng, chedeng, songda, pagasa, weather