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 area may leave the Philippine forecast area (PAR) and enter the East Sea, heading towards southern Vietnam. PAGASA forecasts that this low pressure area has the potential 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.
The strongest wind near the center of the low pressure is 45 km/h, gusting to 55 km/h. The low pressure moves in a north-northeast direction, traveling 10 km per hour.
The interaction between the low and the shear line has the potential to cause heavy or intense rainfall over some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, even those areas far from the expected path of the low.
Over the next 24 hours, rough to very rough seas will be experienced in coastal waters. Waves up to 4.5 m high are possible in the coasts of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and the northern coast of Ilocos Norte.
Cruising poses a risk to all vessels, regardless of size or tonnage. PAGASA warns that all crew members should remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.
Waves up to 4 m high in Isabela, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Islands, east coast of Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon
The depression is expected to move mainly north-northwestward or northward over the eastern seas of Mindanao over the next 24 hours.
From December 19 to 22, the low pressure system will continue to weaken and will move across Mindanao, the Sulu Sea and Palawan. Due to the weak nature of the circulation, the forecast track of the low pressure system is still subject to change.
Although a weakening scenario is predicted, re-development into a tropical depression is possible as the depression moves into the East Sea.
