LPA develops into Tropical Depression 'Fabian' as 'Podul' forecast to enter PAR as typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area brewing within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) developed into Tropical Depression "Fabian" on Friday morning, August 8, PAGASA reported.

In its 10 a.m. update, the state weather bureau last spotted Fabian 145 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. The tropical cyclone is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph), carrying gusts of 55 kph. 

Fabian is moving northwestward at a speed of 10 kph over northern Luzon. It is the sixth tropical cyclone to enter and develop within Philippine waters, and the first one in August. The weather disturbance intensified to a tropical depression at 8 a.m.

Aside from Fabian, PAGASA is also tracking Tropical Storm "Podul" outside PAR. Previously a tropical depression monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency, Podul was last spotted 2,550 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon. 

The storm is carrying maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph, moving faster than Fabian at 15 kph.

PAGASA’s 5 a.m. advisory said Podul could enter PAR as a typhoon by August 10 or 11. If it arrives before any other cyclone forms within Philippine waters, it will be given the local name “Gorio.”

The state weather bureau has forecast partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered rain showers in several parts of the country due to the southwest monsoon or habagat until Saturday morning, August 9.

Affected areas include the Visayas, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Quezon, Palawan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and the rest of Mindanao.