9 provinces in PHL under storm warning signal 1 –PAGASA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): 9 provinces in PHL under storm warning signal 1 –PAGASA

At least nine provinces are under public storm warning signal no. 1 as the low pressure area (LPA) over Northern Mindanao has developed into a tropical depression and was locally named "Auring", the state weather bureau said on Thursday. Auring is the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for the year 2013.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Joey Figuracion said that the provinces under storm signal no. 1 are Palawan in Luzon; Southern part of Negros provinces and Siquijor Island in Visayas; while in Mindanao are Lanao Del Norte, Lanao Del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Figuracion said the LPA has developed into tropical depression on Thursday morning and as of 10 a.m. Auring was located at 50 km West of Dipolog City (8.5°N, 122.9°E) with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. He added that Auring is expected to make landfall over southern tip of Palawan early Friday morning.

Based on models, Auring has a slim chance to intensify into storm due to strong northeast monsoon but since the tropical depression is in the ocean, PAGASA will continue to monitor, he said. PAGASA said that Auring is forecast to move west at 28 kph and is expected to be 180 km Southwest of Puerto Princesa City by Friday morning, and 460 km West of Puerto Princesa City or outside PAR by Friday evening.

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Owners of fishing boats and other small seacrafts are also advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of the country and over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon due to the Northeast Monsoon and over the western seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao due to tropical depression Auring.

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