Tropical Depression 17 is located approximately 460 miles east of Manila,Philippines. This storm is expected to make landfall over the northernPhilippines on Saturday afternoon (EDT) as a tropical depression with sustainedwinds of 35 mph. Heavy tropical rain associated with this system will bring 4-8inches of rain to much of the region.This depression is expected to reach tropical storm strength early next week asit moves across the South China Sea and takes aim at Vietnam. Heavy rain fromsuch a storm could prove devastating. Vietnam is expected to receive numerousshowers and thunderstorms this weekend. These showers and thunderstorms couldproduce upwards of 5-10 inches of rain in many areas. When combined withadditional heavy rain expected from next weeks storm, flash flooding andmudslides are possible.
Story by AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Mike Pigott
