MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Querubin weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 18, just one day since it formed off Mindanao.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 pm bulletin on Wednesday, however, that the LPA has a “medium” chance of redevelopment into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
The LPA was last spotted 280 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, at 4 pm.
It is expected to cross Mindanao, the Sulu Sea, and Palawan from Thursday, December 19, to Sunday, December 22.
Despite Querubin’s downgrade, PAGASA warned the public that the now-LPA and the shear line — as well as their interaction — will continue to trigger rain in parts of the country.
The LPA is affecting Mindanao and the Visayas, while the shear line is affecting parts of Southern Luzon.
The shear line refers to the point where cold air from the northeast monsoon or amihan converges with the easterlies or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean.
PAGASA released the following rainfall outlook at 5 pm on Wednesday:
Wednesday afternoon, December 18, to Thursday afternoon, December 19
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters): Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Davao Oriental
Thursday afternoon, December 19, to Friday afternoon, December 20
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur
Friday afternoon, December 20, to Saturday afternoon, December 21
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Dinagat Island, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte
PAGASA advised areas affected by the LPA and the shear line to remain on alert for floods and landslides.
Querubin was the Philippines’ 17th tropical cyclone for 2024, and the first for December. – Rappler.com