Tropical storm ‘Nona’ to make landfall in Bicol Tuesday night

The tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibilty (PAR) has intensified into tropical storm with international name “Melor” and has been renamed as “Nona” as it enters PAR on Saturday morning, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said “Nona” entered PAR at 4 a.m., the 14th tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.

As of 4 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm “Nona” was estimated based on all available data at 1,110 km east of Maasin, Southern Leyte (10.2N, 135.0E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 25 kph.

So far the tropical storm has no direct effect in the country. But starting Sunday night, it will affect the eastern side of Luzon and Visayas as it will raise a public storm warning signals.

The tropical storm is expected to intensify into typhoon category, if maintaining its speed and movement, is expected to make a landfall in Bicol region by Tuesday night.

Fair weather is seen in most parts of the country on Saturday except for isolated rainshowers.

On Saturday, the presence of northeast monsoon will bring cloudy skies with light rains expected over the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

The rest of the country will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The tropical storm should have been “Nonoy” but was later on changed to “Nona” due to its landfalling characteristics and in respect to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s name. (PNA)

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