4 more storms forecast to hit PH until December

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Up to four tropical cyclones are expected to enter the country until December, the state weather bureau said Friday.

Alvin Pura, weather forecaster from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said that two cyclones are forecast to hit the country in November.

Two more are expected in December, he said.

Located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, the Philippines is visited by an average of 20 storms every year.

In 2012, 17 storms lashed the country. The strongest last year was typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha), which left about 1,000 people dead in Mindanao.

“Colder temperature is also expected ahead. Storm in January is rare but it is still possible,” Pura said.

The 22nd storm to batter the Philippines was Vinta (international name Krosa), which left the country Friday afternoon.

The strongest typhoon in the Philippines so far in 2013 was the southwest monsoon-enhanced Odette (international name Usagi), which battered Luzon in September. It killed three persons and affected over 70,000 persons.

“Although typhoons for the rest of 2013 would not be as strong when there was the southwest monsoon, it is more likely that they will make landfall because of the northeast monsoon,” Pura said.

He explained that the cold winds of the northeast monsoon, usually associated with Christmas season, would push the rainfall downwards.

There were no low pressure areas being monitored by the weather bureau as of posting time, Pura said.