Bagyong Ferdie PAGASA Update, July 21, 2012

Bagyong Ferdie has "slightly accelerated as it continues to traverse Balintang Channel," the PAGASA reported Saturday.

Bagyong Ferdie satellite image as of 8:32 a.m., July 21, 2012 (Source; PAGASA)

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said that the Tropical Depression was last spotted at 80 km North Northwest of Aparri, Cagayan. Ferdie has sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and moving West Northwestward at 15 kph.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 - 25 mm per hour (heavy-intense) within the 400 km diameter of Bagyong Ferdie.

The PAGASA has raised Public Warning Storm Signal No. 1 over the following areas: Isabela, Cagayan, Calayan Grp of Is, Babuyan Gr of Is, Batanes Gr of Is, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Mt. Province.

The bureau alerts residents living in low lying and mountainous areas against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Ferdie is also expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao especially the western section.

PAGASA advises fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the Seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to the combined effect of Tropical Depression "Ferdie" and the Southwest Monsoon.

Meanwhile, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 150 km West Southwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (17.7°N, 119.0°E).