Christmas Eve storm intensifies

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2019 09:16:27 +0000

The tropical cyclone being monitored east of Mindanao has intensified into a tropical storm ahead of its expected entry into the Philippine Area of Responsibility last night or this morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration estimated the location of the tropical storm with international name “Phanfone” at 1,365 kilometers east of Mindanao as of noon yesterday.

From maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph around 3 a.m., the weather disturbance gained strength and now has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph around 11 a.m. yesterday.

Should it maintain its northwest track at 15 kph, PAGASA said Phanfone will be inside the PAR between last night and this morning and will be given a local name “Ursula,” PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said. It will be the 21st tropical cyclone, and most likely the final, this year.

Phanfone has no direct effect yet over any part of the country as of noon yesterday, but may begin to bring moderate to occasion
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