Weather: 'Falcon' accelerates slightly; landfall unlikely

Tropical Depression Falcon slightly accelerated as it continued its northwestward path over the Philippine Sea Wednesday. In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration indicated that Falcon may head for Japan by Saturday. PAGASA said Falcon was estimated at 450 km east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. Falcon was moving northwest at 19 kph and is expected to be 380 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Thursday morning. By Friday morning, it is expected to be 360 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. By Saturday morning, it is expected to be 740 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes or 40 km southwest of Okinawa, Japan. Earlier in the day, PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said their models still show Falcon is not likely to make landfall over any part of the country. "Medyo may kalayuan po. Ang epekto niya [ay] ang habagat natin pinagiibayo niya. Pero ang distance sa kalupaan malayo pa... Sa nakikita namin hindi tatama sa lupa, gigilid lang siya (It is still far from land mass. But for now it is enhancing the southwest monsoon. For now we do not see it making landfall)," Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. Still, PAGASA said Falcon is expected to bring occasional rains over the country, becoming widespread over the eastern section Southern Luzon, of the Visayas and of Mindanao. — RSJ, GMA News