PAGASA says Quinta moving westward slowly

The low pressure area located east of Mindanao has developed into Tropical Depression Quinta, PAGASA said Friday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the weather bureau said the center of Quinta was seen 880 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte at 4 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

PAGASA said the LPA developed into a tropical depression at 2 p.m. and is expected to reach tropical storm category on Sunday.

PAGASA added Quinta will move generally northwestward on Friday and will turn westward by Sunday and will make landfall over the Bicol Region by Monday.

After crossing Bicol, PAGASA said Quinta will continue to track westward over the inland seas of Southern Luzon. It is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Tuesday.

So far, the weather agency said Quinta is not affecting the weather over any portion of the country. No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently in effect.

However, PAGASA said occasional gusts due to the northeasterly surface wind flow will prevail over Northern Luzon, especially in coastal and mountainous areas.

Moreover, gale warning is in effect over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon due to rough to very rough seas.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas can be expected over the eastern seaboards of Luzon.

PAGASA advised those with small sea crafts to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. -MDM, GMA News