November 26, 2014 — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has hoisted Signal No. 1 over at least 20 areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, as the low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao intensified into tropical depression “Queenie” on Wednesday morning.
PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the LPA intensified into a tropical depression at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
Before Wednesday noon, ‘Queenie’ was located at 210 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph).
It is moving west at 24 kph.
Escullar said ‘Queenie’ may make landfall over Surigao del Sur between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday (November 26).
Signal No. 1 was raised in Southern Leyte, Bohol, southern Cebu, Negros Oriental, southern Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostella Valley, Dinagat Province, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon and Zamboanga del Norte.
These areas will experience winds of 30-60 kph in at least 36 hours with moderate to heavy rains.
“After its expected landfall, ‘Queenie’ will traverse Camiguin, southern part of Bohol, southern part of Negros provinces and Palawan. It will leave the PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) by Friday evening,” she said.
By Thursday morning, ‘Queenie’ is expected at 35 km north of Dipolog City and at 105 km west of Puerto Princesa City by Friday morning.
Escullar also noted that the outer rainband of the tropical depression may bring light to moderate rains and cloudy skies over Metro Manila on Friday.
By Saturday morning, ‘Queenie’ will be at 710 km west of Puerto Princesa or over the West Philippine Sea.
The weather condition in areas affected by the tropical cyclone is expected to improve by Saturday, Escullar said. - Manila Bulletin