Weathermen see rains this weekend

A low pressure area east of Luzon has developed into a tropical depression, which is expected to bring rains over parts of Luzon and the Visayas region this weekend.

Tropical Depression “Egay” was spotted 480 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, yesterday afternoon, moving in a northwest direction at 13 kilometers per hour.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the weather disturbance has maximum winds of 55 kph near the center although it is not expected to make landfall.

However, Egay will enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains over the Bicol region, the Mimaropa region and the Visayas this weekend.

Weather forecaster Robert Badrina said no public storm warning signals have been issued in connection with the tropical depression, which is forecast to be 485 km east of Virac today and 650 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, tomorrow.

Metro Manila and provinces in western Luzon will also experience monsoon rains this weekend as Egay moves north.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms are expected to prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country today.

The Pagasa also advised fisherfolk not to go out to sea in the eastern seaboard of Bicol region and Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, the tropical storm with international name “Chan-hom” will enter the Philippine area of responsibility through the northeastern border by Sunday or Monday.