Tropical depression “Onyok” has intensified into a tropical storm currently moving north of the country, said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In the latest bulletin by PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio, he said Onyok is now 455 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan and has a maximum sustained wind of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of around 135 kph.
Aurelio said it is now moving northwest with a speed of 25 kph.
“Malawak ang bagyo, kahit hindi mag-landfall ay mararamdaman ang epekto ng bagyo sa extreme northern Luzon,” he said Sunday.
He said that the thick cloud mass is concentrated exactly at the storm.
As of current, the weather bureau does not see any potential low pressure area (LPA) or storm surrounding the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“Maaaring lumakas ang bagyong Onyok bukas ng hapon at magiging typhoon category. Sa Martes ng hapon ay nasa labas na ito ng PAR,” he said.
Even though Onyok has a low chance of landfall in country’s landmass, its diameters might affect areas in northernmost of the Philippines.