According to the latest storm/low pressure information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on December 18, during the week of December 25-31, 2024, a low pressure may leave the Philippine Forecast Area (PAR) and enter the East Sea, heading towards southern Vietnam. PAGASA forecasts that this low pressure is likely to strengthen into a low to moderate storm.
Meanwhile, at 2:00 p.m. on December 18 (local time), tropical depression Querubin weakened into a low pressure area.
At 3:00 p.m. on December 18, the center of the low pressure was at about 9.5 degrees north latitude, 128.0 degrees east longitude, 220 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (Philippines), and 275 km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
Maximum winds near the center of the depression were 45 km/h, gusting to 55 km/h. The depression is moving north-northeast at 10 km/h.
The interaction between the depression and the shear line is likely to cause heavy or heavy rains in some areas of Visayas and Mindanao, even areas far from the depression's expected path.
In the next 24 hours, the sea will be rough to very rough in coastal waters. Waves up to 4.5 m high on the coast of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and the northern coast of Ilocos Norte.
Sea travel poses a potential risk to all types of vessels, regardless of size or weight. PAGASA warns that all crew members must stay at port or, if traveling, seek shelter or a safe port as soon as possible until the wind and waves are calm.
Waves up to 4 m high on the coasts of Isabela, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Islands, the east coast of Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon
The low pressure is expected to move mainly north-northwest or northward across the waters east of Mindanao over the next 24 hours.
From December 19 to 22, the depression will continue to weaken, passing through Mindanao, the Sulu Sea and Palawan. Due to the weak nature of the circulation, the forecast track of the depression is still subject to change.
Although the weakening scenario is predicted, the possibility of re-developing into a tropical depression may occur when the depression enters the East Sea.
