Tropical Depression Querubin as of 4:00 p.m. on December 17, 2024. Handout/DOST-PAGASA

MANILA (UPDATE) — A low pressure area off Mindanao developed into tropical depression Querubin on Tuesday, about a week before Christmas, the state weather bureau said.

PAGASA said Querubin was spotted 215 kilometers east southeast of Tagum City, Davao del Norte, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 55 kph.

Signal No. 1, where winds of 39 to 61 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours.

The weather agency earlier warned that Querubin and the shear line would bring heavy to intense rains in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

Moderate to heavy rains could hit Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao City.  

PAGASA warned residents in these areas to be on the lookout for possible floods and landslides. 

READ: 162 barangays in Negros Occidental at risk of lahar flows as bad weather looms

Querubin will slowly move northeastward over the sea east of Davao Region before weakening into a remnant low.

The remaining disturbance will cross Mindanao and Palawan between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

-with a report from Ariel Rojas, ABS-CBN News