Severe Tropical Storm #OdettePH weather updates

Typhoon #OdettePH (International name Rai) slightly intensified before dawn on Wednesday, December 15, already nearing typhoon category as expected.

Odette now has maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour from the previous 100 km/h, while its gustiness increased to 135 km/h from 125 km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It will be upgraded into a typhoon once its maximum sustained winds reach at least 118 km/h, likely on Wednesday.

PAGASA still expects Odette to reach a peak intensity of 155 km/h before making landfall in Caraga or Eastern Visayas on Thursday afternoon or evening, December 16.

Odette was located 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, early Wednesday, moving west northwest at a faster 25 km/h from the previous 15 km/h.

Though the severe tropical storm is still hundreds of kilometers away from land, its trough or extension and outermost rainbands are already bringing rain on Wednesday.

Here is PAGASA’s updated rainfall forecast as of 5 am:

Wednesday, December 15, until early Thursday morning, December 16

• Light to moderate rain, with at times heavy rain – Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands

Early Thursday morning, December 16, until early Friday morning, December 17

Heavy to intense rain, with at times torrential rain – Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, northern part of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, northern part of Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Cebu

Moderate to heavy rain, with at times intense rain – Leyte, southern part of Eastern Samar, Siquijor, rest of Caraga

Light to moderate rain, with at times heavy rain – Bicol, Zamboanga del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, rest of Visayas, rest of Northern Mindanao

Early Friday morning, December 17, until early Saturday morning, December 18

Heavy to intense rain, with at times torrential rain – Western Visayas, northern and central parts of Palawan including Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands

Moderate to heavy rain, with at times intense rain – Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Oriental

Light to moderate rain, with at times heavy rain – Bicol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, Aurora, eastern part of Cagayan, eastern part of Isabela, rest of Visayas

The weather bureau warned that scattered to widespread floods and landslides are expected.

As of 5 am on Wednesday, more areas were placed under Signal No. 1 as well.

Northern Samar

Eastern Samar

Samar

Biliran

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Bohol northern and central parts of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Asturias, Carcar City, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Toledo City, Naga City, Balamban, Minglanilla, Cebu City, Talisay City, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Camiguin eastern part of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Binuangan, Claveria, Villanueva, Tagoloan) Areas under Signal No. 1 will experience strong winds from Odette.

PAGASA said it could raise Signal No. 2 for some areas starting Wednesday morning or afternoon, while the highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Odette would be Signal No. 3.