Weekend storm watch begins: 'Hagupit' nears Philippines' vicinity

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical storm, with international name "Hagupit," may enter the Philippine area of responsibility this weekend once inside the country's monitoring area, the state weather bureau said.

PAGASA's advisory on Friday, May 8 placed Hagupit at 1,615 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of 3 a.m.

Between 11 p.m. Thursday and early Friday, the storm gained power and speed. It was recorded with maximum winds of 75 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph near the center. It was moving westward at 20 kph.

Weekend entry

PAGASA said Hagupit is forecast to move west-northwestward for most of the forecast period and may enter PAR between Saturday evening, May 9, and Sunday morning, May 10.

Once inside PAR, the storm will be given the local name "Caloy."

"In the next 24 hours, HAGUPIT will further intensify and may reach its peak intensity as a tropical storm," PAGASA said in its tropical cyclone advisory.

The state weather bureau said easterlies are still the prevailing weather system and Hagupit is less likely to directly affect the country within the next three days.

However, PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to continue monitoring updates.

Forecast

Hagupit may begin weakening after reaching peak tropical storm intensity due to unfavorable environmental conditions, the weather agency said.

It may be downgraded to a tropical depression by Monday evening, May 11, while over the Philippine Sea.