Track of Tropical Storm Jenny (international name: Koinu), which is forecast to further strengthen into a typhoon. Photo from Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm (TS) Jenny has intensified from a tropical depression and although it’s not directly affecting the country now, the state weather bureau noted Saturday that it could enhance the southwest monsoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near its center with gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour.
Pagasa reported the center of TS Jenny was located 1,145 kilometers east of Central Luzon. The storm is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour toward the Taiwan and Batanes area.
“Today, we do not expect heavy rain showers because of the tropical storm,” weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said.
“We will still experience occasional rains due to the southwest monsoon in the western sections of Southern Luzon and the Visayas come Sunday,” he said.
Aurelio further mentioned that occasional heavy rains are anticipated Sunday in Palawan, Romblon, most of Visayas, and the Dinagat Islands due to the southwest monsoon.
Pagasa predicts the storm to intensify into a severe tropical storm by Sunday and possibly develop into a typhoon by Monday or Tuesday.
“From now until Thursday next week, we anticipate the storm to strengthen. By tomorrow, we expect TS Jenny to become a severe tropical storm. By late Monday evening or Tuesday, it is expected to reach typhoon status,” Aurelio said.
A potential landfall or close approach in extreme Northern Luzon or Northeastern mainland Cagayan is on the cards, said Pagasa.
On Monday, Jenny could cause moderate to rough seas along the coastlines of extreme Northern Luzon and northern mainland Cagayan. Mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to exercise caution.
No tropical cyclone wind signals are presently in effect in the country, Pagasa added.