Tropical Storm Domeng (international name: Jangmi) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Friday, May 29, and is expected to enhance the southwesterly wind flow in the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Domeng was estimated at 1,345 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).

It packed maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

The weather bureau said the cyclone is expected to continue moving generally northwestward until Sunday, May 31, before turning north northwestward to northward.

It is forecast to exit the PAR by Monday, June 1.

PAGASA said Domeng may further intensify and reach typhoon category while remaining over the Philippine Sea before gradually weakening afterward.

Based on its forecast track, the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals over Extreme Northern Luzon remains less likely, although not ruled out.

While Domeng is unlikely to make landfall, PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto said its trough or extension may still bring cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas and Caraga over the weekend.

The cyclone may also strengthen the southwesterly winds, leading to prolonged heavy rains over the western section of the country.

The southwesterly wind flow, described as the initial surge of the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, and Palawan.

“Doble ingat dahil posible po ito magdala ng mga pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa (Exercise double caution as this may bring flooding and landslides),” Loreto warned.

Despite the weather disturbance, PAGASA said warm and humid conditions will persist across most of Luzon.

“Other parts of the country naman po kahit may bagyo po tayo ay magiging mainit pa rin at maalinsangan lalong-lalo na po sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon. So meron pa rin tayong matataas na heat index ngayong araw (In other parts of the country, even with a storm, conditions will still be hot and humid, especially across much of Luzon. High heat index levels are still expected today),” Loreto said.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, although flash floods or landslides remain possible during severe thunderstorms.