Tropical depression outside PAR to trigger 'habagat' rains — PAGASA
By ELLALYN DE VERA RUIZ
The low pressure area (LPA) being monitored by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) outside the country’s area of responsibility developed into a tropical depression on Monday, July 15, but will have no direct impact on the country as it moves toward Vietnam.
While it is not expected to directly affect the Philippines, PAGASA Weather Specialist Obet Badrina said the tropical depression, located 1,100 kilometers west of Central Luzon, may enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
Badrina said the enhanced habagat would bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to Mindanao, Western Visayas, Palawan, and Occidental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, isolated monsoon rain showers or thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Bataan.
In addition, Badrina said PAGASA is monitoring cloud clusters east of Mindanao, which could develop into an LPA or even a tropical cyclone within the week.
Even if these clusters do not form into an LPA or tropical cyclone, he said that there remains a possibility that they may move closer to Visayas and Mindanao, extending the period of rainy weather over these areas, including Southern Luzon, until midweek.
Badrina advised the public to continue monitoring possible developments regarding this potential weather disturbance.