By Regina Elaine Vendivil

Fabian has now intensified into a severe tropical storm from a tropical depression on Monday, 19th of July 2021.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Fabian has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 115 km/h, as stated in a bulletin released past 11 am today 

The storm is projected to intensify and develop into a typhoon by Tuesday evening, July 20, and could possibly reach its peak intensity by Wednesday evening or Thursday early morning, as reported by PAGASA.

PAGASA stated that moderate to heavy monsoon rain will continue in the following areas in the next 24 hours, and has raised the possibility of flash floods and landslides

• Ilocos Region
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Occidental Mindoro
• Palawan.

On the other hand, scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected to occur in the following areas due to the southwest monsoon

• Metro Manila
• Calabarzon
• Western Visayas.

Fabian is forecasted to move west-northwest from Monday until Tuesday evening. It is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday afternoon or evening, July 22. 

Additionally, another intensified tropical depression outside PAR is still enhancing the southwest monsoon, becoming a tropical storm. 

This was last seen 840 kilometers west-northwest of extreme Northern Luzon and is currently moving away from the Philippines. 

Both of these storms outside PAR are not bringing rain to the Philippines, however, they continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, which is the source of the rain hitting different parts of the country. 

References:

Arayata, M. C. (2021, July 19). “Fabian” now a severe tropical storm. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1147528 

Arceo, A. (2021, July 19). Fabian intensifies into severe tropical storm. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/weather/severe-tropical-storm-fabian-southwest-monsoon-pagasa-forecast-july-19-2021-11am

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration. (2021, July 19). Tropical Cyclone Bulletin. PAGASA. Retrieved from  http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/tropical-cyclone-bulletin-iframe