The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, Sept. 6 said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” could be enhanced by two brewing tropical cyclones by early next week.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said that from Saturday to Monday, Sept. 7 to 9, the formation of low pressure areas (LPAs) remains possible near the northeastern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and to the far east of Mindanao, southeast of Guam, or outside the PAR.
Once they develop into tropical cyclones and enter the PAR, they will be named “Ferdie” and “Gener.”
Estareja said the first weather disturbance may develop into a tropical cyclone between Monday and Wednesday, Sept. 9 and 11.
The latest track shows that it may not make landfall, but there is a possibility it could enhance the habagat in Northern and Central Luzon by early next week, particularly from Monday to Tuesday, Sept. 9 to 10, he said.
Meanwhile, the potential weather disturbance outside the PAR is not expected to directly affect any part of the country during this period.
Estareja said that from Thursday, Sept. 12, through the following weekend, the second weather disturbance may enter the PAR in the eastern part of Luzon and continue moving west-northwestward.
While the chance of landfall remains low, it is important to note that cyclones reaching the northern Philippine Sea often enhance the habagat, affecting a large portion of the country, particularly the western sections, he added.
Based on the forecast, Estareja said it is possible to have rainy weather not only on Monday and Tuesday, enhanced by the first tropical cyclone, but also from Friday through the next weekend due to the second tropical cyclone.
He advised the public to continue monitoring PAGASA’s updates as scenarios regarding the two potential weather disturbances may still change.