TC “Ambo” (Vongfong) to make landfall over the Philippines — the 2020 Pacific typhoon season’s first named storm
Tropical Depression "Ambo" — the first named storm of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season — has developed east of Mindanao, Philippines, on May 10, 2020. As of 02:00 UTC (10:00 LT) on May 12, the storm is almost stationary with maximum sustained winds of 56 km/h (34 mph) near the center and gusts up to 70 km/h (44 mph). It is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm (international name Vongfong) over the next 24 hours and make landfall over Catanduanes, Bicol on May 14 with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h (80 mph).
A low-pressure area near Micronesia was first noted by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on Saturday, May 9. The system developed into a tropical depression on May 10, prompting JTWC to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.
Local weather bureau PAGASA upgraded the system to a tropical depression later that day, naming it Ambo– the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year. On May 11, JTWC upgraded it as well, designating the storm as 01W.
Tropical Depression "Ambo" at 08:10 UTC on May 12, 2020. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA
As of 02:00 UTC (10:00 LT) on May 12, the center of Tropical Depression "Ambo" was located about 385 km (239 miles) east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, according to PAGASA.
Within 24 hours, the trough of the tropical depression is forecast to dump scattered light to moderate and at times heavy rain showers during thunderstorms over the Mindanao region, PAGASA stated.
Image credit: JTWC
Image credit: JTWC/SATOPS
Flooding and landslides due to heavy rain may occur in vulnerable areas during prolonged rainfall, the bureau warned.
Fisherfolks over the eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas and Caraga, also those with small seacrafts, are advised to avoid venturing out on the said areas as moderate to rough seas will be experienced.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #1 may be raised over parts of Eastern Visayas later on Tuesday, May 12, as strong winds associated with the depression are possible.
Ambo is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm within 24 hours. By then, it'll be located about 280 km (174 miles) east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar.
By Thursday morning, May 14, it will be about 145 km (90 miles) east of Juban, Sorsogon. By Friday morning, May 15, it will be about 25 km (16 miles) west-northwest of Alabat, Quezon.
Image credit: PAGASA
Accuweather noted that the course Ambo will take this week into the weekend will depend on a non-tropical storm system that will be heading over Japan.
If the non-tropical storm travels farther north, it will have less impact over Ambo and it can continue heading to the west, which would bring tropical downpours and gusty winds across the northern Philippines throughout the weekend.
Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA. Acquired 08:10 UTC on May 12.
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