According to the latest weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), at 5:00 a.m. on December 18 (local time), the center of tropical depression Querubin was at 07.5 degrees North latitude - 127.7 degrees East longitude, 230 km east of Davao City or 205 km east of Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
The tropical depression is moving in a North-Northeast direction at a speed of 10 km/h. The strongest wind near the center of the depression remains at 45 km/h, with gusts of up to 55 km/h.
According to PAGASA, the tropical depression is expected to move mainly north-northeast or northward over the waters east of Mindanao in the next 24 hours. During the same period, Querubin will weaken into a low pressure area.
From December 19 to December 22, the remnant low pressure area of Tropical Depression Querubin will move across Mindanao, the Sulu Sea, and Palawan. Due to the weak nature of the circulation, the forecast track of Querubin is still subject to change.
Although the weakening scenario is predicted, the possibility of re-development into a tropical depression is possible as the remaining low pressure area of Queburin moves into the South China Sea.
According to weather forecasts, the tropical depression is unlikely to move close to Vietnam's sea.
The interaction of the tropical depression with wind shear is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rains to parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Rainfall may occur in areas far from the projected path of the tropical depression.
Therefore, people and tourists coming to the Philippines during this time should pay attention to weather forecasts and arrange appropriate travel schedules. Be careful of the risk of landslides and flash floods due to prolonged heavy rains in some affected areas.
