Tropical Storm “Karding” has slightly intensified and is forecast to bring rains over parts of Luzon starting Saturday night, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin Friday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that a tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon beginning Friday night.
The storm is forecast to make landfall over Northern Luzon on Sunday.
Karding now packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was last tracked at 970 km. east of Northern Luzon, moving westward at 15 kph.
“After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, the tropical cyclone will continue tracking over the West Philippine Sea,” PAGASA added.
Karding is forecast to gradually intensify within the period prior to landfall over Northern Luzon. Based on the intensity forecast, it is likely to make landfall as a severe tropical storm, the weather bureau said.
The southwest monsoon and the trough of Karding will continue to cause scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol Regions, and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.
Flash floods or landslides are likely in these areas due to moderate to at times heavy rains.
From Saturday night until Sunday, PAGASA forecast light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora.
Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will still prevail over Northern Luzon.
Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.
The rest of the country may experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms, PAGASA said.