Storm Rolly enters country today

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression is expected to intensify into a storm as it enters the Philippine area of responsibility today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The weather bureau said the storm is expected to enter Philippine jurisdiction this morning or afternoon and will be given the local name “Rolly” once inside the country.

Rolly will be the 18th storm to enter the country this year, following Quinta that battered southern Luzon last week. The country is hit by an average of 20 typhoons each year.

The tropical depression was located outside the Philippine area of responsibility at 1,960 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of 11 a.m. yesterday.

It was seen slowly moving west northwest with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

“The tropical depression is forecast to intensify into tropical storm within 24 hours. It will continue to intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category prior to landfall,” PAGASA said in its advisory.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, the tropical storm will be at 1,590 km east of Baler, Aurora this morning and will intensify into a severe tropical storm by Friday morning as it traverses east of Central Luzon.

It will intensify further into a typhoon by Saturday morning as it reaches 600 km east of Daet, Camarines Norte.

By Sunday morning, Typhoon Rolly is expected to be 25 km west of Virac, Catanduanes and by Monday morning at 50 km West of Subic, Zambales.

PAGASA weather specialist Shelly Ignacio said Metro Manila, Baguio City, Legazpi City and Metro Davao will experience generally fair weather today and on Friday but will start to experience light to moderate rains by Saturday.

Meanwhile, Metro Cebu will start to experience cloudy skies and light to moderate rains by Friday.