By J. Jala | 07:00 PM December 12, 2021
A low pressure area spotted off Mindanao has developed into a tropical depression, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
In an advisory on Sunday, the weather bureau said the storm would be named “Odette” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
Pagasa said it is seen to move west northwest over the next three days and could enter PAR on Tuesday.
“By Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, the tropical cyclone will begin to move westward and may make landfall over Eastern Visayas-Caraga area,” it said.
The tropical depression was last spotted 2,095 kilometers east of Mindanao, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
“The tropical depression is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category within the next 24 hours,” according to the advisory.
“Due to favorable environmental conditions, the tropical cyclone will likely continue to intensify and may reach typhoon category by Tuesday evening or Wednesday early morning.”
The current forecast shows that tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) could be raised over the Visayas and Mindanao, and the highest possible signal is TCWS #4, said the weather bureau.
