TD Caloy 'almost stationary,' may exit PAR within 24 hours —PAGASA

Tropical Depression Caloy is "almost stationary" over the West Philippine Sea as of late Wednesday morning, according to the latest weather update from PAGASA.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Caloy is seen to remain almost stationary or move "generally" west northwestward within the day and northwestward on Thursday through Friday morning.

"On Saturday (02 July), 'CALOY' will turn  north northwestward towards southern portion of China, where it is expected to make landfall," the state weather bureau said.

PAGASA said Caloy may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within 24 hours, but due to the present nature of its circulation, its track and intensity forecast "may still change in the succeeding bulletins."

As of PAGASA's latest update, the center of Caloy was estimated based on all available data 375 km West of Iba, Zambales. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

"The large overall circulation and disorganized structure of 'CALOY' suggest a slow pace of intensification in the near term," PAGASA said.

Caloy is forecast to remain a tropical depression in the next 48 hours, then slightly intensify and reach tropical storm category by Friday afternoon. 

Caloy is expected to enhance the monsoon trough and the Southwest Monsoon which will then bring rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas on Wednesday.

PAGASA said occasionally gusty conditions reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength are expected over Extreme Northern Luzon, and the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.

"These conditions are more likely in coastal and mountainous/upland localities of these areas," according to the state weather bureau.

Moderate to rough seas up to 3.4 meters are expected over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, PAGASA said.

“These conditions may be risky for those using small seacraft. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” PAGASA warned.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News