Tropical Depression Pilandok is projected to strengthen into a tropical storm within the day, though it poses no threat of making landfall in the Philippines, the state weather bureau reported Tuesday, September 1.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Pilandok was tracked 1,050 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 4 a.m.
The weather system maintained maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h, gusts reaching 70 km/h, and a central pressure of 1,000 hPa while moving west-northwestward at 10 km/h.
No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been raised. PAGASA forecasts the storm to shift toward the north and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday night or Thursday morning as it heads toward southern Japan.
Despite the distance, the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Pilandok will trigger strong to gale-force gusts across broad sections of Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao through Thursday.
A Gale Warning remains active along Northern Luzon’s northern and western coasts, with sea waves expected to reach up to 5 meters near the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte, rendering sea travel dangerous for all vessels.