Tropical depression nears PAR as monsoon rains persist

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the next 24 hours, but the southwest monsoon, or habagat, will continue to be the main rain-bearing weather system over parts of Luzon, the state weather bureau said Monday.

In its latest public weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the tropical depression, internationally named Haishen, was located 1,205 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 3 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph as it moved northwestward at 10 kph.

READ: TD Haishen may enter PAR within 24 hours – Pagasa

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Weather specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio said the tropical depression could enter PAR within the next 24 hours but is not expected to directly affect any part of the country.

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“It could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility within the next 24 hours, but we do not see it affecting any part of the country,” Castañeda-Carpio said.

Pagasa said the tropical depression is forecast to move generally west-northwestward over the next 12 hours and may briefly intensify into a tropical storm. It could enter PAR as early as Monday night or Tuesday morning, when it would be assigned the local name Josie.

READ: Lava fountaining recorded in Mayon Volcano

After entering PAR, Pagasa expects the system to weaken back into a tropical depression as it moves quickly across the eastern portion of the country’s area of responsibility before exiting by Wednesday as a low pressure area.

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Habagat continues to affect Luzon

Despite the approaching tropical depression, Pagasa said the southwest monsoon continues to affect Luzon.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected over the Ilocos Region, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan and Tarlac due to the southwest monsoon. PAGASA warned that moderate to, at times, heavy rains could trigger flash floods or landslides in these areas.

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Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the southwest monsoon. PAGASA said severe thunderstorms may still bring short periods of heavy rain that could cause flash floods or landslides.

“We are not expecting continuous heavy rainfall, but brief periods of heavy rain are still possible. Again, we advise the public to remain cautious,” Castañeda-Carpio said.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. PAGASA said severe thunderstorms may also bring brief but intense downpours that could trigger flash floods or landslides.

Moderate to rough seas over Luzon

PAGASA also forecast moderate to strong southwest to south winds over Luzon, where coastal waters will be moderate to rough, with wave heights ranging from 1.5 to 3.1 meters. Visayas and Mindanao will have light to moderate southeast to south winds and slight to moderate coastal waters, with waves ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters.

While no gale warning has been raised, Castañeda-Carpio advised those planning to travel by sea, particularly along the western seaboard of Luzon, to remain cautious due to moderate to rough sea conditions.

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Pagasa urged the public to continue monitoring its official weather advisories as the southwest monsoon remains the country’s dominant weather system even as the tropical depression approaches PAR. /mr