'Chedeng' now a severe tropical storm, but still no direct effect on PH weather
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 7) — 'Chedeng' has intensified into a severe tropical storm but will still not directly affect the country's weather conditions, the state weather bureau reported Wednesday night.
In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Chedeng remains unlikely to bring heavy rainfall over any part of the country in the next three to five days.
Hoisting of storm signals due to Chedeng also remains unlikely at this time, according to PAGASA.
PAGASA earlier said Chedeng, which was last seen east of Southeastern Luzon, may begin dragging the southwest monsoon or habagat, situated in the west, by Thursday.
“Base sa ating data, maaari pong bukas ay mahatak na itong habagat at maapektuhan na ang Visayas at Mindanao muna. Sa mga susunod na araw, Luzon, Visayas na po ang maaapektuhan,” PAGASA weather specialist Aldzcar Aurelio said in an afternoon briefing.
[Translation: Based on our data, tomorrow it may drag the southwest monsoon and affect the Visayas and Mindanao first. In the next few days, Luzon, Visayas will be affected.]
The southwest monsoon is currently bringing rains over the western section of Southern Luzon, particularly Palawan.
According to PAGASA’s forecast, Chedeng may turn into a typhoon on Thursday.
"Peak intensity may be reached by Friday or Saturday," PAGASA added.
The storm was last spotted 1,220 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, moving west-northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).
Chedeng's maximum sustained winds rose to 95 kph and gustiness at 115 kph.
The storm is expected to remain offshore and far from landmass until its forecast exit on Monday from the Philippine monitoring area, PAGASA said.
Chedeng is the third storm to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year after Super Typhoon Betty hit the country last month.
PAGASA earlier said it expects 11 to 14 tropical cyclones to enter the country's weather monitoring area from June to November.
