Tropical depression slightly accelerates westward over Philippine Sea

The tropical depression being monitored by state weather bureau PAGASA slightly accelerated on Friday morning while moving westward at 20 kph over the Philippine Sea west of Guam.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was estimated outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 1,850 kms east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.

PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin that a landfall is less likely at this time, and is less likely to directly affect the weather and sea conditions in the country within the next three days.

The tropical depression is forecast to enter PAR between the evening of June 20 and the morning of June 21 and will be given the local name, "Francisco", the state weather bureau said. — VDV, GMA News