Tropical depression east of Visayas may enter PAR by weekend

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression east of Visayas may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday night, according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday morning said that the tropical depression was spotted some 2,085 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.

It is packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph while moving west at 15 kph.

“It is not yet affecting the country, but we are monitoring it as it is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility, possibly by late Saturday night or early Sunday morning,” Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said.

The tropical depression, Pagasa said, is expected to steadily intensify and may reach typhoon category by Sunday evening while moving northwest over the Philippine Sea.

It will be named Francisco once it enters PAR.

The weather bureau, however, said the cyclone remains less likely to make landfall over the country.

‘Habagat’ trigger

While the tropical depression is not expected to directly affect the country’s weather in the next three days, Pagasa said it could trigger the southwest monsoon or “habagat” and enhance rainfall in parts of Visayas and Southern Luzon early next week.

Meanwhile, fair, warm weather due to the easterlies is expected in Metro Manila, Visayas, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Queon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and the Bicol region.

Isolated rain showers and thunderstorms are possible, particularly in the afternoon and evening. /gsg