Typhoon “Pepito” (international name "Saudel") left the Philippine Area of Responsibility Thursday but a new low-pressure area which has the potential to become a tropical depression will likely enter the PAR this weekend.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Pepito left the PAR around 7:30 a.m. and intensified into a typhoon at 8 a.m.
Pepito was last spotted at 485 kilometers west-northwest of Dagupan City in Pangasinan or 480 kms west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
PAGASA said light to moderate with at times heavy rains may still affect Batanes, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan this Thursday, but will gradually improve in the next few days.
These areas are still advised to take necessary precautionary measures in the event of flooding and rain-induced landslides that may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
High to gale-force winds with occasional gusts due to the typhoon will prevail over Northern Luzon and Central Luzon, especially over the western sections.
A gale warning is also in effect due to rough to very rough sea conditions, with waves that may reach 2.8 to 5.5 meters, over the northern and western seaboards of Central Luzon, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Lubang Island, Palawan, and Calamian and Kalayaan Islands.
Sea travel remains risky over these areas, especially for those using small boats, PAGASA warned.
Moderate to rough seas, with wave heights 1.5 to 2.5 meters, will prevail over the eastern seaboards of Luzon.
PAGASA advised those using small boats to take necessary precautionary measures while venturing out to sea, while inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions.
Meanwhile, the LPA was spotted about 1,200 kms east of Mindanao before noon Thursday. It is likely to enter the PAR by Friday and may develop into a tropical depression this weekend.
It is not affecting the country's weather condition as of this time but PAGASA advised the public to continue to monitor this potential tropical cyclone for its possible effects in the coming days.
PAGASA assistant weather services chief Rene Paciente said the potential tropical cyclone may remain as an LPA as it enters the PAR and become a tropical depression by Saturday.
Once it becomes a tropical depression, Paciente said it will be given the local name "Quinta." It could be the fourth tropical cyclone to form inside the PAR this month, after "Nika," "Ofel," and Pepito.
"Based on our initial analysis, it will make landfall over Bicol by Monday," he said.
Paciente said most of the country will still have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with some isolated afternoon or evening rain showers in the next two days.
He said thunderstorm activities that occur in the afternoon or evening are now more concentrated over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
It will gradually decrease in the coming days as the northeasterly winds become more prevalent, he added.
"Habagat (southwest monsoon) has started to withdraw, as there have been surges of northeasterly winds in the extreme part of Northern Luzon. We can declare the onset of the northeast monsoon (amihan) season when the cold air becomes prevalent throughout Luzon. So far, we are now in the transition period," Paciente said.