The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, Dec. 1, said it is monitoring a cloud cluster east of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) that may develop into a low-pressure area (LPA) in the coming days, as the agency expects one or two tropical cyclones to form or enter PAR this December.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the state weather bureau’s latest data show a developing weather disturbance that could affect the country soon.

“Mayroon po tayong mino-monitor ngayon, ‘yung cloud cluster sa silangang bahagi ng PAR. Base sa ating mga pinakahuling datos, may posibilidad na itong cloud cluster ay maging low pressure area (LPA) sa mga susunod na araw at papasok ng PAR (We are currently monitoring a cloud cluster east of PAR. Based on our latest data, this cloud cluster may develop into a low-pressure area in the coming days and enter PAR),” he said.

He added that December remains an active month for tropical cyclone formation.

“Lalo na ngayong buwan ng Disyembre, may 1 o 2 bagyo ang inaasahan nating maaaring mabuo o pumasok sa PAR (Especially this month of December, we expect 1 or 2 cyclones that may form or enter PAR),” he said.

Badrina also reported that Tropical Storm “Verbena,” internationally known as “Koto,” remains far from the Philippine landmass and is not affecting the country.

“Sa ating latest satellite images, nandito parin ang bagyong tinatawag nating ‘Verbena’ o Tropical Storm ‘Koto’ na huli nating namataan sa 480 km northwest ng Pag Asa Island, pero hindi pa nakakaapekto sa mga bahagi ng ating bansa (In our latest satellite images, we still have the tropical cyclone called ‘Verbena’ or Tropical Storm ‘Koto,’ last seen 480 kilometers northwest of Pag-asa Island, but it is not affecting any part of the country),” he said.

Meanwhile, the agency said the northeast monsoon will continue to bring light rains over extreme Northern Luzon, particularly Batanes.

“Mayroon pa rin tayong Amihan o Northeast Monsoon na magdadala parin ng mga mahinang pagulan partikular sa bahagi ng extreme Northern Luzon sa may Batanes area (We still have the Northeast Monsoon which will bring light rains, particularly over extreme Northern Luzon in the Batanes area),” said Baldrina.

The state weather bureau said easterlies will also bring localized thunderstorms over much of Luzon and Visayas.

“Mayroon paring easterlies na magdadala ng localized thunderstorms sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon at Visayas (We still have the easterlies that will bring localized thunderstorms over most of Luzon and Visayas),” he added.

PAGASA said Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will likewise generate rains over parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

“Habang sa ngayon sa Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)… ito ang magdadala ng pagulan naman sa silangang bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao (As of now, the ITCZ will bring rains over the eastern portion of Visayas and Mindanao),” he said.

“Kaya ngayong araw, posibleng ang mga pag-ulan, mula sa mahina at katamtaman kahit kalat na kidlat at kulog, sa Eastern section ng Visayas at dito sa CARAGA at Davao region (So today, light to moderate rains with isolated lightning and thunder are possible in the eastern part of Visayas and in the Caraga and Davao regions),” he added.