(Eagle News)–The low pressure area spotted west of Ilocos Sur has developed into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Saturday, July 21.
According to PAGASA, as of 10 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression “Josie” was located 195 kilometers west northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
“Josie” is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 60 kilometers per hour, and is moving slowly in a northeast direction.
Signal Number 1 has been hoisted over Batanes, northern Cagayan including the Babuyan Group of Islands, Ilocos Norte, northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Apayao and northern portion of Abra.
Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.
Scattered light to moderate with occasional heavy rains are expected over Metro Manila, Calabarzon and the rest of Central Luzon, PAGASA said.
Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of northern Luzon and the western seaboard of central Luzon, especially in the areas where a tropical cyclone signal is hoisted, it added.