Tropical depression Huaning has slightly intensified but remains unlikely to directly impact the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, Aug. 18.
As of 11 a.m., Huaning has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts of up to 70 kph.
The tropical depression was located 535 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, and was moving slowly north-northwestward.
It is expected to continue moving northward and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight or by Tuesday morning, Aug. 19.
It may pass close to or over the Okinawa Islands in Japan by Tuesday morning or afternoon.
While Huaning is expected to remain a tropical depression, PAGASA noted that a possible intensification into a tropical storm is not entirely ruled out, though it is not the most likely scenario at this time.
PAGASA added that the tropical depression is unlikely to affect sea conditions in the coastal waters of the country. (Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz)
