Monday, December 16, 2019

Philippines on alert for tropical threat following powerful earthquake

Updated Dec. 16, 2019 11:43 AM




A tropical system attempting to organize in the Philippine Sea will bring the risk for flooding to parts of the southern Philippines this weekend.
A large area of showers and thunderstorms stretching from east of Palau to the offshore waters east of Mindanao will drift toward the west as the week progresses and could become a tropical depression or tropical storm.
If this threat becomes a tropical storm it will be known as Phanfone.
While development is possible by Wednesday or Thursday, impacts to the Philippines are not expected until this weekend.
This satellite image shows several clusters of showers and thunderstorms across the southern Philippine Sea on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (CIRA/RAMMB)
In the shorter term, Palau will be at risk for daily showers and thunderstorms with downpours capable of producing localized flooding.
This risk will be highest from late Wednesday to Friday as the storm attempts to develop near or just west of Palau.
Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible across Palau this weekend, but the risk for flooding will shift into the southern Philippines.
Prior to the arrival of the potential tropical system, daily showers and thunderstorms will be scattered across Mindanao and southern Visayas. The heaviest downpours are forecast for eastern locations.
The risk for heavy rainfall across Mindanao may cause further issues for areas still recovering from a deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Saturday.
Total rainfall of 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) is expected across much of Mindanao through this weekend with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 300 mm (12 inches) for locations near and east of Davao.
Widespread travel disruptions could occur due to the risk of significant flooding on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be an increased risk for mudslides during this time.
Locations across Visayas, including Cebu, will be at risk for 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rainfall through Sunday with up to 150 mm (6 inches) in Bohol and southern Leyte.
RELATED:
Downpours will lessen across Mindanao and Visayas early next week as heavy rainfall shifts into Palawan.
The potential tropical threat will depart the Philippines by the middle of next week and may bring impacts to Vietnam in the days after Christmas.

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