LPA off Surigao intensifies into cyclone

The low-pressure area east of Mindanao developed into a tropical cyclone yesterday and is expected to make landfall over Surigao provinces tonight, the state weather agency said.

Weather forecaster Jun Galang of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression Marce is forecast to hit land today between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Marce was spotted at 420 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 17 kph.

As of 5 p.m., tropical cyclone warning signal No. 1 was raised over Southern Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Areas under signal No. 1 can expect winds of 30 to 60 kph in the next 36 hours. The cyclone will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains over these areas in the next two days.

Galang said Marce is also forecast to cross Cebu, Negros, Panay Island and Northern Palawan.

He said Marce is unlikely to intensify further based on latest forecasts. It is also not expected to affect Metro Manila, he added.

The cyclone is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday.

Marce is the 13th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected over Palawan and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao today.