Nando heads northwestward over PH sea; Signal No. 1 may be up on Saturday

Tropical Depression Nando advances northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said late Thursday afternoon.

Based on the state weather bureau’s 5 p.m. bulletin, Nando was observed 1,260 km east of Central Luzon, carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It was traveling northwestward at 55 km/h.

PAGASA said Nando may pass close to or make landfall over the Babuyan Islands.

"Nando may potentially enhance the Southwest Monsoon as it approaches the landmass," PAGASA said.

It added that Nando will continue to intensify over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category by Saturday.

“Further intensification into super typhoon category while traversing the Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out,” state meteorologists further said.

Signal No. 1 may also be hoisted over Northern Luzon as early as Saturday, 20 September.

“The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 5 considering that this tropical cyclone has a possibility to reach super typhoon category,” PAGASA said.

The storm is expected to move slowly northwestward or west northwestward over the Philippine Sea in the next 48 hours.

It will then turn west northwestward or westward by Saturday afternoon (20 September) or Sunday (21 September) morning towards extreme Northern Luzon. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News