Odette now a tropical storm; warning signal hoisted over Cagayan

Tropical Cyclone Odette (international codename Usagi) intensified into a tropical storm before noon Tuesday and continued to move west toward Northern Luzon slowly.

 

PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said that Odette's enhancement of the southwest monsoon is not expected to trigger heavy rains akin to those experienced last August.

 

He said this is due to a weather system near Vietnam that is also affecting the southwest monsoon.

 

"Kung walang weather system malapit sa Vietnam, malakas ang ulan na mararanasan natin ngayon," Loiz explained in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

But he said Luzon may expect thunderstorms, as well as light to moderate rain that may last until Saturday.

 

The Japan Meteorological Agency's 8:50 a.m. update said Odette was "almost stationary."

 

Storm signals

 

PAGASA's 11 a.m. advisory said Odette was estimated at 820 km east of Tuguegarao City as of 10 a.m., with maximum winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

 

It said Odette was moving west at 7 kph and is expected to be 650 km east of Tuguegarao City Wednesday morning, and 450 km east of Tuguegarao City Thursday morning.

 

By Friday morning, it is forecast to be 210 km east of Aparri, Cagayan.

 

Under Storm Signal No. 1 is Cagayan, including the Calayan and Babuyan Islands.

 

PAGASA said Odette may bring rainfall of 15 to 20 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 350-km diameter.

 

It also said Odette may enhance the southwest monsoon, which may bring "light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over the western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas." — TJD, GMA News