Tropical Depression “Goring” could strengthen to become a typhoon or even super typhoon by Saturday, the state weather bureau said Thursday.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Goring may steadily intensify throughout the forecast period and could reach the tropical storm category by Thursday night or early Friday.
“While the current intensity forecast indicates the progression towards typhoon category, the inherent volatility of attaining super typhoon category remains a possibility,” PAGASA said.
No tropical cyclone wind signal has been hoisted over any part of the country, but PAGASA expects this to change beginning Thursday night.
PAGASA said Goring could also enhance the southwest monsoon, which could cause occasional rains over the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon beginning Sunday.
The tropical depression is less likely to bring heavy rains for the next three days, but the weather bureau said that any westward shift in the forecast track may result in heavy rainfall over Cagayan Valley.
Goring was last tracked 355 km. east northeast of Calayan, Cagayan, or 300 km. east of Basco, Batanes, moving north-northwestward at 15 kph.
It packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
