Tropical Depression #DantePH may strengthen and reach tropical storm within the day, according to PAGASA’s latest advisory on Wednesday morning, July 23.
“DANTE may reach tropical storm category within the next 12 hours. Further intensification into a severe tropical storm remains less likely but is not ruled out,” the weather bureau said.
As of 4:00 AM, Dante was located 880 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon, and continues to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gusts of up to 70 km/h.
Although Dante is not expected to make landfall or directly impact the country, no tropical cyclone wind signals are currently raised.
“The Heavy rainfall outlook due to the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by DANTE and the Low Pressure Area,” PAGASA stated.
It is enhancing the southwest monsoon, which is bringing strong gale-force winds to several areas, including Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
Dante is progressing northwestward at a pace of 25 km/h, and its associated strong winds extend up to 300 km from the center.
Dante is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening, July 24, or early Friday, July 25.
Meanwhile, as of 2:00 p.m., another LPA is being monitored inside PAR off Cagayan and now has a "high" potential of developing into tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, another LPA outside the PAR is also being monitored and has a moderate chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
Several areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are seeing continuous rains, with rising water levels in flood-prone zones.
Rough to moderate sea conditions are also expected, particularly along the western and eastern seaboards. Small vessels are advised not to sail in affected areas.
