LPA develops into tropical depression Huaning — PAGASA
Forecast track and intensity of Tropical Depression Huaning (PAGASA)
The low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression and was given the local name “Huaning,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, Aug. 18.
According to PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil, Huaning developed into a tropical depression at around 2 a.m. and was located 520 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 3 a.m.
It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.
Villamil said Huaning is not expected to directly affect the country or enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” in the coming days.
Likewise, no tropical cyclone wind signal will be raised.
The tropical depression is seen to move generally northward until Monday evening, then turn north-northeastward by early Tuesday, Aug. 19, toward the Ryukyu Islands in Japan.
It is expected to exit the PAR between late Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, another LPA west of the country, located outside the PAR, has also developed into a tropical depression.
While it is moving farther away, its trough or extension will continue to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan on Monday.
Weather conditions in these areas are expected to improve by Tuesday, Villamil added.
He also noted that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) may start to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao during this period.
The ITCZ is a weather system formed by the convergence of winds from the northern and southern hemispheres, leading to the development of rain clouds.
From Wednesday to Friday, Aug. 20 to 22, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao may also experience scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ.
The rest of the country is expected to experience generally fair weather, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.