The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Halong, which may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and potentially become the second typhoon of October.
Halong, which will be locally named Quedan, was located approximately 2,150 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon yesterday afternoon, generating winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour near its center and waves reaching 90 kph.
The storm is moving northwestward at a slow pace, with its path largely dependent on surrounding high-pressure systems. If northern high-pressure zones dominate, Halong may remain outside the PAR; if influenced by high pressure near mainland China, it could enter the northeastern periphery of Philippine waters.
While Halong is not expected to affect the entire country, authorities are monitoring its potential to influence local weather, particularly in northern and eastern Luzon.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo, formerly Typhoon Paolo, was last located 1,190 kilometers north of the Philippines and was moving toward southern China.
Although it poses no direct threat to the Philippines, Matmo is enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing cloudy skies and scattered rains to Palawan and the Kalayaan Islands.