A tropical depression east of the Philippines could enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” and bring rains over large parts of the country starting Sunday, June 21, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) (PAGASA) said on Friday, June 19.

PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia said the weather disturbance was not directly affecting any part of the country as of Friday.

However, she said there is a high chance the cyclone will enhance the habagat once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this weekend.

“Maigting po natin itong mino-monitor dahil once na pumasok po ‘yan sa ating area of responsibility, mataas ang tsansa na magti-trigger o mag-e-enhance po ito ng southwest monsoon o habagat na siya pong magpapaulan sa malaking bahagi ng ating bansa by Sunday until early next week (We are closely monitoring it because once it enters our area of responsibility, there is a high chance it will trigger or enhance the southwest monsoon, which may bring rain over a large part of the country from Sunday until early next week),” she said.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, the tropical depression was located 1,735 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

It was moving west-northwestward at 35 kph.

PAGASA said the cyclone could enter PAR by Saturday evening or Sunday morning, June 20 or 21, as a severe tropical storm or a typhoon.

Once inside the PAR, it will be given the local name “Francisco.”

Dela Cruz-Galicia said the cyclone is forecast to remain over the sea throughout its stay within PAR and may reach typhoon strength before approaching the country's landmass.

“Makikita nga po natin na sa entire stay po niya sa ating area of responsibility ay nasa typhoon category po ‘yan (It is expected to remain in the typhoon category throughout its stay within the Philippine Area of Responsibility),” she added.

She also said that while the current forecast shows the cyclone eventually recurving away from the country, PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility of landfall.