A low pressure area east of Philippine waters could develop into a tropical cyclone within the next two days, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday, September 30.
In its 5 p.m. forecast, PAGASA said the system has a medium chance of strengthening into a tropical depression and is likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday evening.
The low pressure area was last spotted 1,070 kilometers east-northeast of Eastern Visayas at 3 p.m.
PAGASA’s tropical cyclone-threat potential report also indicated a high chance of a storm crossing Luzon this week, from September 29 to October 5.
Weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said Northern Luzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Legazpi City can expect overcast skies and rain from Thursday, October 2, lasting until Saturday, October 4, before conditions improve.
A second tropical cyclone-like vortex (TCLV) may form by the second week of October. By October 6 to 12, the first storm is expected to exit PAR toward the Vietnam-Hainan area, while the second storm may enter the northeastern boundary of PAR.
The report further forecasts that tropical cyclones forming in October could make landfall in provinces across Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, as well as Visayas.
Some systems developing in the western Pacific may enter PAR but are expected to recurve northward, moving toward Japan or Korea.
More rain
Although the low pressure area has not yet directly impacted the Philippines, warm easterly winds are expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, October 1, in the following areas:
Metro Manila
CALABARZON
MIMAROPA
Bicol Region
Aurora
Pampanga
Bulacan
Zambales
Bataan
Northern Samar
The rest of the country is forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The Philippines is still reeling from the aftermath of severe flooding caused by the combined effects of tropical cyclones ‘Mirasol,’ ‘Nando’ and ‘Opong,’ along with the southwest monsoon.
Several provinces and cities have declared a state of calamity to prioritize rehabilitation efforts as thousands remain displaced.