Tropical Depression “Ambo” about to make landfall over Luzon, Philippines

The center of Tropical Depression 97W, locally known as Ambo, is heading toward landfall over the Aurora province, Luzon, Philippines on June 26, 2016. Landfall is expected late UTC Sunday, June 26 / early June 27. The system is bringing moderate to heavy rainfall and the threat of flashfloods and landslides. It is possible this system will strengthen into a tropical storm once it emerges over the South China Sea.

At 08:00 UTC on June 26 (16:00 PHT), Ambo had maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h (28 mph) near the center, PAGASA said. It was located about 120 km (75 miles) N of Virac, Catanduanes. The system is moving WNW at 22 km/h (13.7 mph). At 09:00 UTC on June 26, JMA estimated Ambo's minimum central pressure at 1 006 hPa. At 08:00 UTC on June 27, the center of this system is expected to be 190 km (118 miles) NW of Dagupan city. 

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy (2.5 to 10 mm per hour; 0.9 to 0.4 inches) within the 200 km (124 miles) diameter of Ambo. Likewise, occasional moderate to heavy rain is expected over Northern and Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol Region.

Tropical Depression "Ambo" forecast track by PAGASA at 08:00 UTC on June 26, 2016

Ambo is expected to weaken after making landfall over Aurora province early PHT morning on June 27 (PHT is UTC +8 hours).

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #1 (TCWS#1: Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands, Aurora and Quirino) are alerted aginst possible flashfloods and landslides.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions, PAGASA said.

Tropical Depression 97W (Ambo) at 12:30 UTC on June 26, 2016. Credit: UW CIMSS

Featured image: Tropical Depression 97W (Ambo) on June 26, 2016. Credit: NASA/NOAA/DoD Suomi NPP / VIIRS