Tropical Update

Invest 97W continues to linger around Mindanao today, bringing with it scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Nearly 100mm of rain fell overnight in some spots in Northern Mindanao including Surigao and Hinatuan. Rains have also spread into Eastern Visayas as well as Western Mindanao.

IR Image from NRLMRY

The image above shows majority of the rain clouds associated with 97W is now moving westward into Zamboanga area. Clouds can also be observed along Dinagat and Leyte Islands. Expect another 50 to 80mm of rain to fall in some places tonight and into tomorrow.

We're still keeping a LOW chance for 97W due to it returning into the waters of Moro Gulf and eventually into the Sulu Sea. Low wind shear and high sea surface temperatures in the region could keep the wave going and even help it develop a little bit in the coming days.
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Issued (09 UTC) 5pm PhT 043012