Up to 2 tropical cyclones expected this month

MANILA, Philippines — Up to two tropical cyclones are expected to enter or develop inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.

PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil explained that one of the scenarios sees a tropical cyclone approaching PAR, but will recurve going up toward Japan or Korea.

Villamil said other scenarios include the cyclone making landfall in the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas, and exit toward the West Philippine Sea.

Should they enter or develop in PAR, they will be given the local names Samuel and Tomas.

Based on the latest weather satellite as of 4 p.m. yesterday, the typhoon, with the international name In-fa, is still outside PAR, last located at 2,310 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, packing winds of 150 kms per hour and gusts of 185 kph.

In-fa is not expected to affect the weather conditions in the country or enter PAR, so far, as it moves southward at 15 kph.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains in Batanes.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to easterlies will be felt in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.