WEATHER UPDATEand Luis gains strength

COTABATO CITY (Sept. 12/NDBC) -- Tropical depression Luis has slightly gained strength while over the Philippines sea waters, the state weather bureau said on Friday.Mainland Mindanao will continue to experience slight to moderate rains Friday afternoon and evening, the weather bureau said.In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m. tropical depression Luis was located at 780 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (14.0°N, 132.2°E).Luis' maximum sustained winds increased from 45 kph to 55 kph and continues to move west northwest at decelerated speed of 26 kph from its previous 30kph.PAGASA weather forecaster Meno Mendoza said that maintaining its speed and movement, tropical depression Luis is expected to make landfall in Northern Luzon by Sunday evening or Monday morning.He added that since its in the sea, the tropical depression is expected to intensify into tropical storm category.So far, no public storm warning signal has been raised since the tropical depression still far, he said.Tropical depression Luis is expected to be at 480 km East of Casiguran, Aurora by Saturday morning.By Sunday morning is expected to be 180 km Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora and by Monday morning at 70 km West Northwest of Laoag CityIt added that estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 15 mm per hour (moderate - heavy) within the 400 km diameter of the tropical depression. (PNA)