THE low-pressure area (LPA) east of Taiwan has intensified into a tropical depression named “Salome,” the state weather bureau announced in its 11:30 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Salome was last tracked 255 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving south-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour.
The tropical depression currently packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over Batanes, the western section of the Babuyan Islands (including Calayan and Dalupiri Islands), and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Pagudpud, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Laoag City). These areas are expected to experience strong winds.
Heavy rainfall is also forecast over Batanes, the weather agency said.
A gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of extreme Northern Luzon, with very rough sea conditions expected around Batanes. PAGASA advised that sea travel remains risky for all types of vessels.
The weather bureau said Salome is expected to continue moving southwestward and may pass close to or make landfall over Batanes between Wednesday night and Thursday.
It could also move near or across the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte on Thursday.
PAGASA added that while Salome may intensify into a tropical storm, it is forecast to weaken into a remnant low by Friday.