Weather Today – December 18, 2015 | : “#ONYOKPH” moving closer to landmass

The Low Pressure Area (LPA), formerly Nona, already dissipated yesterday. PAGASA continues to monitor Onyok, which remains as a Tropical Depression with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour. Moving west at 17 kilometers per hour, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez says that if Onyok maintains speed and direction, it will possibly make landfall inr Surigao del Sur tonight, between 8:00 to 10:00 PM.

Meanwhile, according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier, Onyok is expected to weaken as an LPA by Sunday and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday.

As the Tropical Depression moves closer to the landmass, Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 is up over some parts of Mindanao, where flash flood and landslides are possible in low-lying and mountainous areas.

Aside from Onyok, the Northeast Monsoon prevails, affecting the Northern Luzon. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Gale warning is still up over the northern, eastern and western seaboards of Luzon, and over the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Sea travel is risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft. For areas under Signal Number 1, all types of sea vessels are automatically not allowed to venture into the sea.

Javier, in an interview with Panahon.TV, brought some good news. No weather disturbance or tropical cyclone is expected to enter or affect the PAR in the next 2 to 3 days. However, all are still advised to monitor updates especially now that we have only a few days to go before Christmas.