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A low pressure area (LPA) in the Philippines’ area of responsibility has turned into a tropical depression, the first storm to hit the country this year.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) named the depression “Ambo”.
Starting at 4 p.m. On Sunday, it was 545 kilometers east of Hinatuan, South Surigao, moving on a west-northwest track at 15 km per hour (kph) and with winds of 45 kph with gusts at 55 kph.
Source: http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/
No storm signal had been issued, but Pagasa said the Ambo depression would cause scattered showers with heavy isolated showers in the Caraga, Davao, Soccsksargen and Maguindanao regions in the next 24 hours.
Pagasa said Ambo could skirt the Virac, Catanduanes and Daet coast, Camarines Norte on Thursday, and could make landfall near Quirino, Ilocos Sur on Friday.
Pagasa’s climate specialist Samuel Duran told The Manila Times that Ambo could help raise water levels in dams.
On Sunday, the level at Angat Dam, Metro Manila’s main water source, was 188.65, a 0.21 meter drop from the previous day.
Duran said the rain could help ease the sweltering heat. Steam heat indices have been recorded in parts of the country in recent weeks due to the combined effects of high temperature and relative humidity. Pagasa attributed this to the persistent crest of a high-pressure area and easterly winds during the dry season.
The highest heat index was recorded at 58 degrees Celsius in San José, Occidental Mindoro, on April 20. The highest temperature was 40 C in Tuguegarao and Isabela on May 4 and 5, respectively.
In Metro Manila, the highest heat index was 43 ° C last May 6.
The highest temperature in Metro Manila was 37.4 C on May 5.
On Sunday, the highest heat index was 49 C at Nueva Ecija and Cavite de Pagasa stations, 48 C at Batangas station, 47 C at Occidental Mindoro station and 45 C at Albay and Pasay City stations.
A heat index of 41 C to 54 C carries a warning of danger, and 32 C to 41 C an extreme precaution, which could cause cramps and heat stroke.
Pagasa advised the public to avoid going outdoors from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and to stay properly hydrated.
Durán said the late storm was unusual. In previous years, three typhoons had been recorded in May.
The Pagasa Climate Prediction and Monitoring arm predicted one or two typhoons in May.
Duran said that in previous months, typhoons have strayed from the Philippines’ area of responsibility, due to factors such as a high-pressure area and the intertropical convergence zone.
