Tropical Storm Jenny’s current path likely to spare PH from direct impact

Pagasa’s cone of probability, as of 11 a.m. of September 30, 2023, showing Tropical Storm Jenny’s center will not directly hit the extreme Northern Luzon.

MANILA, Philippines — If Tropical Storm (TS) Jenny maintains its current trajectory, it will not make direct landfall in the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Saturday.

The weather agency projected that Jenny will move northwestward through Monday.

“If its movement does not change, it will not directly landfall,” Pagasa’s Officer-in-Charge Dr. Nathaniel Servando said in a virtual press conference.

However, Pagasa said it was not ruling out the possibility of a landfall or close approach over extreme Northern Luzon or northeastern mainland Cagayan.

“We haven’t ruled out the possibility of it making landfall in extreme Northern Luzon or perhaps mainland Cagayan since it’s within our cone of probability,” weather specialist Veronica Torres said.

According to Pagasa, if the current forecast holds, the storm’s center or eye will not directly impact the country, although parts of extreme Northern Luzon may still be affected.

In contrast, while tropical cyclone wind signals might be raised either Sunday or Monday, Pagasa indicated that this could happen sooner if there are adjustments to their current forecast.

Recent data from the weather agency revealed TS Jenny’s location as 1,025 kilometers east of Central Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour.

Furthermore, Pagasa clarified that while TS Jenny won’t have a direct impact on the National Capital Region (NCR), the enhanced southwest monsoon it brings could produce rain and strong winds in the vicinity.

“In the NCR, Jenny’s impact isn’t direct. However, the enhanced monsoon might bring rain and strong winds to the area,” Torres added.

Servando emphasized that, in addition to the monsoon, afternoon thunderstorms are also expected to bring brief, heavy rainfall to the Metro Manila and surrounding areas.