(Satellite photo of Tropical Storm Marce from Pagasa)
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Marce (international name: Yinxing) may trigger the onset of the northeast monsoon, locally known as the “amihan” season, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday.
Amihan refers to the period of cold winds—usually associated with Christmas—that bring rains over the country’s eastern side.
“Tama po. Possible within this week, mag-release na tayo (we will release information) regarding the onset of the northeast monsoon,” said senior Pagasa weather specialist Chris Perez in a press conference when asked if Marce may trigger the onset of amihan.
Marce was last spotted 775 kilometers (km) east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
It carries maximum sustained winds of 75 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph while moving west-northwestward at 35 kph.
Meanwhile, Marce’s trough may already bring rain over Extreme Northern Luzon and the eastern section of Luzon beginning today, Nov. 4 or on Tuesday.
In terms of wind conditions, the storm will also bring strong to gale-force gusts in Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Aurora and the northern portion of Quezon as early as today.
As it moves closer to the country, Pagasa said Marce will bring heavy rains and strong winds over the eastern section of Luzon by Wednesday.
It may make landfall near the Babuyan Islands or northern Cagayan on Thursday evening or Friday morning.
READ: Tropical Depression Marce intensifies into a storm as it enters PAR