MANILA — The tropical cyclone that might develop from the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao at present will likely move in a north-northwesterly direction once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), affecting the Visayas and Luzon.
“We’re therefore urging people in both areas to take precaution,” said forecaster Aldczar Aurelio from government weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
He made the call, noting tropical cyclones during the month of July normally move in a north-northwestward direction.
Such means the tropical cyclone that might develop from the LPA can either plow through the Visayas and Luzon or move along the eastern seaboard of these areas, he noted.
“That tropical cyclone may or may not make landfall,” he also said.
On Thursday morning, Aurelio said latest available PAGASA data located the LPA some 940 km. east of Mindanao.
He said the LPA is still outside PAR but continues moving closer to the Philippines.
PAGASA expects such weather system to be inside PAR within the next 24 hours, he noted.
Once a tropical cyclone inside PAR, PAGASA will name this ‘Henry.’
The expected track of ‘Henry’ is similar to that of typhoon ‘Glenda’ (international name ‘Rammasun’) which struck the country this week, noted Aurelio,
In its 10 a.m. bulletin released Thursday, PAGASA located the eye of ‘Glenda’ at 480 km. west of Dagupan City as of 8 a.m. the same day.
‘Glenda’ is already outside PAR, said PAGASA.
PAGASA noted ‘Glenda’ packed maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.
Even if already outside PAR, however, Aurelio said ‘Glenda’ will still affect Luzon and the Visayas since this typhoon is pulling the rain-driving southwest monsoon.
“We can expect rains,” he said.