MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Nando is expected to dump heavy rains beginning Saturday, the weather agency said on Thursday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in its 5p.m. bulletin, said that the tropical cyclone was 1,260 kilometers east of Central Luzon while moving northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).
It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando said “Nando,” the 14th storm to hit the country this year, may potentially enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat as it approaches the landmass.
He said that Signal No. 1 may be raised over Northern Luzon on Saturday.
“The highest storm signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Signal No. 5 considering that this tropical cyclone has a possibility to reach super typhoon category,” Servando said.
Likely to move slowly northwestward or west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea in the next 48 hours, “Nando” may turn west-northwestward or westward by Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning towards extreme Northern Luzon.
Pagasa said “Nando” may pass close or make landfall over Babuyan Islands.
It may intensify into a super typhoon while traversing extreme Northern Luzon.
