By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said the low pressure area they have been monitoring has formed into a tropical storm.

The latest tropical storm, named “Quedan,” was last spotted 1,200 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.

The storm is generating winds of 80 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts reaching 95 kph.

PAGASA said the storm will not likely hit the country as it is moving northwest at 21 kph.

However, the weather bureau warned the storm could still cause heavy rainfall around the Luzon and Visayas areas./DGB, WDJ