'Neneng' seen to intensify to tropical storm over the weekend

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:57 a.m.) — Tropical depression Neneng is forecast to intensify further and become tropical storm over the weekend, state weather bureau PAGASA said Friday.

Neneng was last seen 835 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon, the weather agency said in its 11 am bulletin.

The tropical depression slightly weakened, with peak winds of 45 kph near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

It was heading west southwest at 25 kph.

Neneng is the country’s 14th tropical cyclone this year and the second in October.

What to expect

According to PAGASA, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted this afternoon over the eastern portion of Northern Luzon in anticipation of the tropical depression. TCWS No. 2 will likely be the highest wind signal that will be raised.

The passage of Neneng will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains to Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Apayao, and Kalinga on Saturday.

By Sunday, it will dump moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected in the rest of Ilocos region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

PAGASA added that a marine gale warning remained in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon.

The surge of northeasterly surface wind flow and the approaching tropical cyclone may also bring moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 meters) over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. These conditions may be risky for those using small sea vessels.

Neneng is expected to make landfall or pass very close to Babuyan Islands or Batanes on Sunday.

The cyclone may reach tropical storm category by Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

Neneng’s track

• Oct 14, 2022 08:00 PM - 700 km east of Calayan, Cagayan
• Oct 15, 2022 08:00 AM - 490 km east of Calayan, Cagayan
• Oct 15, 2022 08:00 PM - 300 km east of Calayan, Cagayan
• Oct 16, 2022 08:00 AM - Over the coastal waters of Babuyan Island, Cagayan
• Oct 16, 2022 08:00 PM - 100 km northwest of Calayan, Cagayan
• Oct 17, 2022 08:00 AM - 290 km west of Basco, Batanes (outside PAR)