Tropical rainstorm to follow deadly Typhoon Melor into Philippines

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

December 18,2015; 9:15PM,EST

 

 

While Typhoon Melor has fizzled in the South China Sea, a tropical rainstorm is approaching the Philippines and threatening to cause additional flooding and disruptions to cleanup efforts.
What was Tropical Depression 29W, known as Onyok in the Philippines, weakened to a tropical rainstorm early Friday morning local time. This system will move into southern Mindanao Friday night, local time, but will pale in comparison to Typhoon Melor.
Damaging winds will not be a threat with this system.

However, a stiff northeasterly wind will still blow along the entire eastern coast of the Philippines, kicking up rough surf and heightening the risk of coastal flooding.
Potentially flooding downpours will be the most widespread impact. The downpours associated with the rainstorm will spread well away from its center and impact not just Mindanao but also Visayas.
"The downpours [from the rainstorm] will be most numerous Friday night into Saturday, then will become more scattered for Sunday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards said.
Rain amounts will generally be on the order of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) with localized amounts exceeding 150 mm (6 inches).
"Any additional rainfall in rain-soaked areas could increase flooding that is already ongoing," Richards said.
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Downpours will not just be confined to the central and southern Philippines. Moisture streaming into Luzon will lead to rain, some heavy, in eastern areas. The heaviest rain and greatest threat for flooding downpours will be along eastern slopes of the higher terrain.
Locations such as Baler, Daet and Legazpi City can expect additional downpours following days of heavy rainfall from Melor.
Even where new flooding does not arise, rain will hinder cleanup efforts in the wake of the damage and flooding caused by Typhoon Melor.
Farther south, Tacloban, Butuan, Davao and Zamboanga could all experience flooding from this new tropical threat after avoiding the worst of Melor.
While a shower or thunderstorm will occasionally stream into Manila, the majority of the downpours will stay east of the capital.

Typhoon Melor Lashes Central Philippines

Melor made an initial landfall over Bulusan, Sorogon, in southern Luzon at 4 p.m. local time on Monday afternoon as the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane. Three more landfalls followed into Tuesday before Melor dissipated in the South China Sea on Wednesday.
At least 11 people were killed as Melor crossed the Philippines and unleashed damaging winds and widespread flooding rain, according to Agence France-Presse.
Melor caused the cancellation of schools and universities in areas impacted by the cyclone and also led to numerous travel delays and flight cancellations.
Rainfall totaled over 175 mm (7 inches) in Masbate City and 150 mm (6 inches) in Legazpi City as the cyclone tracked through the central Philippines on Monday.
Heavy rain inundated parts of Mindoro on Tuesday and Wednesday with rainfall totaling over 250 mm (10 inches) in Calapan City.
Among the highest rainfall totals recorded was the more than 480 mm (19 inches) that inundated Cabanatuan City in Luzon Tuesday into Wednesday night. Flooding ensued in Manila where around 200 mm (8 inches) poured down.
Content contributed by Meteorologist Eric Leister.