MANILA – The New Year’s celebration in some parts of the country could be rainy with tropical depression “Usman” expected to be inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility until Monday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Usman” is expected to make landfall over at Eastern Samar on Friday and go out of the country on New Year’s Eve.
“‘Usman’ is also expected to intensify into a tropical storm prior to its landfall,” said Pagasa weather forecaster Jun Galang yesterday.
“New Year’s Eve medyo nakalampas na po siya sa may landmass pero magiging maulan naman po itong part ng Cagayan Valley region at almost dito sa northern part ng Northern Luzon, Ilocos region,” he added.
For Metro Manila, Galang said, “Makararanas pa rin tayo ng light rains dahil medyo apektado pa rin tayo.”
Based on the latest Pagasa forecast, “Usman” was estimated at 795 kilometers East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 60 kph. It is moving west northwest at 20 kph.
Cloudy skies and scattered rains are expected over Eastern Visayas as well as parts of Dinagat islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, the state weather bureau added./PN
