Tropical Depression 01W Brings Wind and Rain to Samar

Tropical Depression 01W brought wind and rain to Samar in the Philippines on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression 01W was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 125.1°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Tacloban, Philippines. The tropical depression was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over Samar in the Philippines strengthened on Friday. Both the Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified the system as a tropical depression. The center of Tropical Depression 01W was over Samar. Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Depression 01W. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression 01W will move through an environment that will be mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. Even though Tropical Depression 01W will move through a mostly favorable environment, it will not intensify until the center moves back over water.

Tropical Depression 01W will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is east of the Philippines. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression 01W will move across Samar during the next few hours. It will move across southeastern Luzon on Saturday.

Tropical Depression 01W will continue to drop heavy rain on Samar. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The tropical depression will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to southeastern Luzon and Catanduanes Island on Saturday. Flash floods could also occur in those locations. Tropical Depression 01W will also cause rough seas in the areas around Samar and southeastern Luzon.