Chedeng slightly intensifies as it moves over Philippine Sea —PAGASA

Tropical Depression Chedeng slightly intensifies as it meanders over the Philippine Sea east of Eastern Visayas, PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. advisory on Tuesday.

Chedeng was last located 1,150 kilometers East of Southeastern Luzon (12.9°N, 134.8°E), with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and a central pressure of 1002 hPa.

The tropical depression was almost stationary, according to PAGASA.

No wind signals have been raised at this time.

“Tropical Depression Chedeng is unlikely to directly bring heavy rainfall over any portion of the country in the next 3 to 5 days,” PAGASA said.

“Although the current forecast scenario for this tropical cyclone may result in the enhancement of the Southwest Monsoon, the timing and intensity of monsoon rains over the country (especially in the western portion) may still change due to the dependence of monsoon enhancement on the forecast movement and intensity of Chedeng and its interaction with the other weather systems surrounding it,” it added. 

PAGASA advised the public to keep monitoring updates as the agency will issue weather advisories if there is an increasing chance of heavy rainfall within the next three days.

The tropical depression is unlikely to cause rough sea conditions over the country's coastal waters in the next 24 hours, PAGASA noted.

“Chedeng is forecast to intensify in the next 4 days and may be upgraded to tropical storm category in the next 12 hours. This tropical cyclone may reach typhoon category by Thursday and reach its peak intensity on Friday or during the weekend while over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon,” PAGASA added.

Chedeng, however, is expected to remain far from the Philippine landmass, as it was seen to gradually accelerate and move generally northwestward in the next 24 hours before turning west-northwestward on Thursday.

It will maintain its west-northwestward movement from Wednesday until Thursday before turning towards the northwest on Friday and to the north during the weekend. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News