Tropical Depression Ferdie (Bagyong Ferdie) has slightly accelerated as it continues to traverse Balintang Channel, state weather bureau PAGASA reported on Saturday, July 21, 2012.
At 4:00 a.m. today, the center of Bagyong Ferdie was spotted 80 kilometers North Northwest of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center.
It is forecast to move West Northwest at 15 kph.
Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (45-60 kph winds) has been raised in the following areas:
- Isabela
- Cagayan
- Calayan Group of Islands
- Babuyan Group of Islands
- Batanes Group of Islands
- Kalinga
- Apayao
- Abra
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- Mountain Province
The agency has alerted residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Bagyong Ferdie, weather experts said, is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao especially the western section.
Meanwhile, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was spotted 150 km West Southwest of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.
