After Typhoon “Nika” (international name: Toraji), the next tropical cyclones to watch are “Ofel” and “Pepito.”
In a press conference on Monday, Nov. 11, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said Nika is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning or afternoon, Nov. 12.
As Nika exits, a tropical depression located 1,375 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas will enter the PAR and be named “Ofel.”
As of Monday afternoon, the tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching up to 70 kph. It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.
Perez said the tropical depression could make a close approach or landfall over northern Luzon before recurving northward away from the country.
Meanwhile, a tropical storm with the international name “Man-yi” was located 3,390 kilometers east of Central Luzon around 3 p.m. on Monday.
Although still far from the Philippines, Perez said Man-yi is also expected to enter the PAR in the coming days as it moves generally westward.
Currently, the storm has maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near its center and gusts of up to 105 kph. It is moving south-southwestward at 10 kph.
Once the tropical storm enters the PAR, it will be named “Pepito.”
PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section Chief Ana Liza Solis explained that the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a breeding ground for tropical cyclones, has been particularly active in recent weeks. This increased activity is attributed to "La Niña-like conditions" that enhance rain-bearing weather systems.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/11/cyclones-associated-with-la-nina