‘Expect gloomy weather’
Cebu will continue experiencing light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms for the next few days due to tropical depression 'Odette' affecting Luzon and Visayas.
The gloomy weather will continue till Sunday due to trough or extension of the weather disturbance, according to Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Chief Alfredo Quiblat Jr.
Trough is an elongated area of low atmospheric pressure that can occur either at the earth's surface or at higher altitudes.
Quiblat said Odette was seen 800 kilometers of Cebu, but it will still bring “indirect” effects to the province, including light to moderate rain showers.
He said Odette, the 15th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, is also seen to enhance the strength of the southwest monsoon (Habagat).
“Though we are not directly affected by the weather system, this is what we call as an indirect effect. There will be slight to moderate temporary intensification of Habagat for Visayas until Sunday,” said Quiblat.
While there might be no gale warning declared by PAGASA over Central Visayas, fishermen and fishing operators, however, are advised not to sail in case the seas turn rough due to moderate to strong winds.
PAGASA warned that the strength of Odette has slightly intensified as it moves westward over the Philippine Sea.
Odette was last tracked 730 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 65 kph. It was moving west at 26 kph.
Quiblat said there is a chance that Odette's category may raise into tropical storm before reaching landmass or after making a landfall in Cagayan province.
Tropical depression is the first of the five classifications of tropical cyclone based on its intensity and followed by tropical storm.
He advised the public to continue monitoring the weather updates as significant changes in the weather pattern may occur.
Miasco/KBQ