Tropical storm Karding slightly accelerates westward while maintaining its strength, Pagasa reported on its latest severe weather bulletin, September 23.
The center of Tropical Storm Karding was estimated based on all available data at 1,235 km East of Northern Luzon.
It is moving westward at 10 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
On Sunday midnight through the morning, there could be light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Batanes, Cagayan, and Isabela.
For rest of Sunday through Monday early morning, there could be moderate to heavy rains over Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Provinces, and La Union. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the northern portion of Aurora and the rest of Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.
Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.
Due to the Southwest Monsoon partly influenced by tropical storm Karding, occasional rains are also possible beginning Sunday over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over their western sections. As such, the issuance of Weather Advisory for Southwest Monsoon is not ruled out.
Tropical Storm Karding slightly accelerates
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be hoisted as early as tonight over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon in anticipation of winds of at least strong breeze to near gale strength associated with the approaching tropical cyclone.
Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 2. However, the potential for hoisting a Wind Signal No.3 is not ruled out at this time.
Tropical storm Karding is forecast to track generally westward while gradually accelerating towards the east coast of Northern Luzon, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday. After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, the tropical cyclone will continue tracking over the West Philippine Sea.
This tropical cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify within the period prior to landfall over Northern Luzon. Per latest intensity forecast, it is likely to make landfall as a high-end tropical storm or a low-end severe tropical storm. Frictional effects of the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon may result in some slight weakening, although Karding will most likely be at tropical storm category once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.