PAGASA: ‘Pedring’ intensifies, threatens north Luzon

Tropical cyclone “Pedring" (international code name Nesat) intensified slightly and accelerated Sunday, with state weather forecasters indicating it may intensify into a typhoon before making landfall in Northern Luzon later this week. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Rene Paciente said PAGASA models show Pedring may make landfall Tuesday afternoon or evening. “Inaasahang maging typhoon is Pedring. May kalakihan, ngayon 250 km, ang radius nito," Paciente said in an interview on dzBB radio. Citing PAGASA’s data, he said Pedring may enhance the southwest monsoon, with its outer spiral affecting parts of Central Luzon. “It still appears headed for Northern Luzon. We expect it to make landfall Tuesday afternoon or evening," he said. As of 4 a.m. Sunday, PAGASA said Pedring was estimated at 730 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move west at 22 kph. “The whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over Eastern Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. PAGASA said moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. — LBG, GMA News