The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continues to monitor a tropical depression east of Southern Luzon as it may enter the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday, Oct. 13.
The tropical depression, with maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 55 kph, was last observed at a distance of 2,020 kilometers east of Southern Luzon, according to PAGASA’s 11 a.m. advisory on Thursday.
It was moving northeastward at a speed of 20 kph.
“The tropical depression is forecast to decelerate as it moves generally north-northeastward in the next 12 hours before turning northward to northwestward while gaining speed. On the track forecast, the tropical depression may enter the PAR region on Thursday (Oct. 13) morning or afternoon. Afterwards, the tropical cyclone will move generally westward towards extreme Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.
Based on initial analysis, the tropical depression may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday and approach the country’s landmass on Sunday, Oct. 16, said PAGASA Weather Division chief Jun Galang.
The next tropical cyclone will be named “Neneng.”
Galang added that PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility of a landfall over Northern Luzon or Central Luzon.
“Current track and intensity forecast shows that there is a high likelihood that tropical cyclone wind signals will be hoisted over Batanes and several provinces in Northern Luzon. The highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted is TCWS #2 (tropical cyclone wind signal number 2,” PAGASA said.
The State weather bureau pointed out that the passage of the tropical cyclone over extreme Northern Luzon may bring heavy rainfall over the area beginning Saturday, Oct. 15.
Aside from this tropical cyclone, a tropical depression with the local name “Maymay” is being monitored as it may make landfall over Aurora province or northern Quezon province by Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Circulation near Palawan has potential to become cyclone
Galang said PAGASA is also monitoring a circulation west of Palawan that may also form into a tropical cyclone.
However, it may only affect some portions of Palawan as it will eventually move away from the country.