Tropical Storm Tembin (Vinta) starting to bring heavy rain into SE Philippines

Good afternoon from the Western Pacific Weather team.

A tropical depression east of the Philippines has intensified into a tropical storm named Tembin (Vinta in PAGASA nomenclature), and it is already starting to bring heavy rainfall into the area. As previously mentioned, the greatest threat with this system has been and will be the heavy rainfall. The winds are expected to remain at tropical storm force going through Friday and the weekend, but residents need to be prepared as rainfall will likely lead to flooding and landslides.

Those in Visayas along with all of Mindanao should be bracing for this system as the impacts will be greatest for those regions. Signal alerts have been issued for the following locations (as of 1400 on 21 December 2017):

Signal 2: Mindanao – Surigao del Norte Incl. Siargao Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Northern Davao Oriental
Signal 1:
Mindanao – Dinagat Island, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Rest of Davao Oriental, Northern Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur
Visayas – Southern Leyte, southern portion of Leyte, Southern Cebu, Siquijor, and Bohol

High waves will also be of concern for the coastal areas, and so for those of you living near the waters should seek higher ground, especially for those along the eastern and northern side of the islands in Visayas and Mindanao.

Here’s meteorologist Robert Speta with his video analysis of the storm:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FrobertspetaWHEC%2Fvideos%2F1883224355038637%2F&show_text=1&width=560

Jonathan Oh
Meteorologist, Western Pacific Weather