Expect another typhoon this month – PAGASA

By Juzel Danganan

Expect another typhoon to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday.

In a phone interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Rob Gile said the PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section forecasts four typhoons to enter the PAR this July.

He, however, pointed out the country had already seen three typhoons within the PAR. These were “Gardo”, “Henry”, and “Inday”.

Severe Tropical Storm “Inday”, which is moving slowly northwest, was last spotted 945 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 90 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km per hour.

PAGASA forecasts “Inday” to exit the PAR between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

The storm has no direct effect on the country, but will enhance the southwest monsoon.

Monsoon rains will prevail over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

The weather bureau cautioned of possible flooding and landslides due to moderate with occasional heavy monsoon rains in these areas.

Other parts of Luzon will have occasional rains caused by the southwest monsoon.

PAGASA warns of possible flooding and landslides due to light to moderate to at times heavy rains in these areas.

Visayas and Mindanao, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers caused by local thunderstorms.

The weather bureau alerted of possible flooding and landslides due to light to moderate to at times heavy rains in these areas.

Meanwhile, Gile said the low-pressure area (LPA), located west of northern Luzon, has a slim chance of becoming a typhoon within the next 24 hours.

PAGASA also forecasts rough to very rough coastal waters in the western section of northern and central Luzon. Fisherfolks and those with small boats are advised not to head out to sea.

Other areas will have moderate to rough coastal waters.

Pagasa forecasts a temperature range of 16-34°C until Tuesday.

On Friday, PAGASA recorded a peak temperature of 28.3°C and a minimum temperature of 23.4°C. (PNA)