1st tropical cyclone Auring enters Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Auring, the first tropical cyclone this year, entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday and was forecast to bring heavy rains and gusty winds this weekend.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance was spotted 700 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 3 p.m. yesterday.

The tropical depression packed winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

Auring was forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph.

PAGASA weather forecaster Joey Figuracion said Auring is expected to make landfall over Caraga on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

In a severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said Auring is likely to hit Caraga as a tropical storm.

The agency warned residents of the Visayas, Bicol, Mimaropa, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Cotabato and Lanao del Sur against heavy rains and gusty winds until Monday.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 may be raised over several provinces in Caraga and Davao tomorrow.

Figuracion said the trough or extension of Auring would dump rains over Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao tomorrow.

He said inclement weather is expected over parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Saturday and Sunday.

Metro Manila will experience rains from the trough of the cyclone by Sunday.