Tropical Storm Podul Approaches Philippine Area
The tropical storm Podul may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Sunday or Monday next week, local weather authorities said. This update comes as the storm moves steadily closer to the country, raising alert levels across affected regions.
According to weather experts, Podul was last located approximately 2,580 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. Despite its distance, the storm is expected to head toward the PAR in the coming days, potentially impacting weather conditions nationwide.
Potential Strength and Local Naming
Once Podul enters the PAR, it will be locally named “Fabian” and marked as the sixth tropical cyclone to affect the Philippines in 2025. Officials warn that the storm may intensify to typhoon strength before or upon entering the PAR. Currently, it is classified as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 65 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts up to 80 kilometers per hour.
“Based on our latest analysis and forecast, there is a possibility that it will enter our PAR by Sunday or Monday,” a weather specialist said in Filipino. She also noted the storm’s west-northwest movement at 15 kilometers per hour and the increasing chance it could affect Extreme Northern Luzon.
Current Weather and Other Systems in the Area
Meanwhile, a low-pressure area (LPA) inside the PAR, located 125 kilometers west-southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, no longer affects any part of the country. Its center remains at sea near the western boundary of the PAR and is expected to move out of the area within the day. Officials noted that while this LPA could develop into a cyclone outside the PAR, it is not expected to impact the Philippines.
At present, the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, is influencing most parts of the country. This weather pattern brings cloudy skies and a high chance of rain, especially in the Bicol Region, Quezon province, and Mimaropa provinces including Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
Regional Weather Forecasts
Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and the rest of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) are expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to the habagat. Northern Luzon may see thunderstorms from localized activity, while the Visayas will have generally cloudy conditions with scattered rains and thunderstorms.
In Mindanao, certain areas such as the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga Region, and Davao Region will also encounter cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms influenced by the habagat.
Residents and local officials are advised to monitor weather updates closely as the situation develops. Preparedness measures should be taken, especially in areas prone to heavy rains and strong winds.
For more news and updates on tropical storms and weather conditions, visit Filipinokami.com.
