The low-pressure area being monitored by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has developed into a tropical depression yesterday at 2 p.m. and was given the name “Querubin.”
PAGASA anticipates Querubin weakening over the next 24 hours and returning to a low-pressure area (LPA). However, the weather agency is not ruling out the possibility that it will redevelop into a tropical depression as it traverses Mindanao and heads to the West Philippine Sea.
“Si Bagyong Querubin ay nananatili pa rin na nasa karagatan malapit sa Mindanao,” weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio reported Wednesday morning.
As of 4 a.m., its center was located to be 230 kilometers (kms) east of Davao City, or 205 kilometers east of Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
According to Aurelio, it is heading north-northeast at 10 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h around the center, gusts of up to 55, and a central pressure of 1006 hPa. Tropical cyclone winds stretch up to 180 kilometers from the center.
Due to Querubin, its extension, and the shearline, much of the Visayas and Mindanao are currently experiencing gloomy skies and rainfall.
“Kaya paalala sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa Bicol Region, buong Visayas, at Mindanao, patuloy pa rin tayong mag-ingat dahil sa banta ng landslide o flash flood dahil may mga ini-expect pa rin tayo na malalakas na pag-ulan,” he said.
PAGASA has issued Wind Signal #1 (highest) for Davao Oriental. Aurelio stated that residents in the area should anticipate precipitation and wind gusts.
Although no gale warning has been issued, he advised residents to exercise caution when heading out to sea because of to the extent of the winds caused by Querubin, the shearline, and the northeast monsoon (amihan).
