New tropical cyclone possible in PH next week

PAGASA earlier forecast two to four TCs in the country this August.
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MANILA — The first tropical cyclone (TC) in the country this month may develop early next week east of Luzon, possibly with occasional heavy rains in the northernmost portions.

“Such TC may be a tropical depression,” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Chris Perez on Friday (Aug. 18) on the side of a forum in Metro Manila.

He noted a circulation over the Pacific at present may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) around Saturday (Aug. 19) and may develop into a low-pressure area (LPA) that can eventually intensify into a tropical cyclone.

If this situation develops, he said this could enhance the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ and bring light to heavy rains, particularly over extreme Northern Luzon.

“We urge the public to monitor weather updates PAGASA will release beginning this weekend,” he said.

PAGASA earlier forecast two to four TCs in the country this August.

If the current circulation develops into a tropical cyclone, this weather system will assume the local name “Isang”, the ninth TC this year.

Tropical storm “Huaning” (international name ‘Haitang’) was so far the country’s last TC, occurring in late July 2017.

The Philippines averages around 20 TCs annually, noted PAGASA.

“2017 is atypical since there should have been 10 to 11 TCs already in the country between January and August this year,” said PAGASA weather forecaster Nikos Peñaranda.

Earlier, he warned about dangers from light to moderate rains that an expected enhanced “habagat” and either LPA or TC can bring to Northern Luzon next week.

“Communities concerned must prepare — if such rain occurs frequently, this may eventually trigger landslides and flash floods there,” he said.

In its 24-hour forecast released Friday morning, PAGASA said inter-tropical convergence zone is affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Peñaranda said “habagat” receded to the Thailand-Malaysia area so the Philippines is experiencing a monsoon break.

“Habagat” will likely begin prevailing anew in the country next week and help bring rain and thunderstorms to Northern Luzon, he added.