August 23: Three tropical cyclones surround Philippines — PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — Three tropical cyclones are currently active outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), with at least one highly likely to enter the region by Monday, August 24, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

In its weather forecast on Sunday, August 23, PAGASA identified the following tropical cyclones surrounding the country.

• Tropical Depression (formerly "Neneng"): Estimated to be 565 kilometers (km) north of Itbayat, Batanes
• Typhoon Saudel: Estimated to be at 2,245 km east of extreme Northern Luzon
• Tropical depression: Estimated to be 1,205 km east of Eastern Visayas

According to weather specialist Obet Badrina, Saudel is expected to enter the PAR by Monday.

Once it crosses into the PAR, it will be given the local name "Obet."

The weather bureau also noted that the tropical cyclone east of Visayas is expected to follow Saudel's path, resulting in an interaction between the two systems.

While Saudel is unlikely to make landfall anywhere in the country, it is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” starting Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Badrina. 

The PAGASA weather specialist said the enhanced habagat is expected to bring occasional heavy rains, particularly over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.

Southwest monsoon

Meanwhile, the habagat may also bring rain to parts of Luzon. 

Batanes may expect occasional rains due to the habagat. PAGASA also issued a yellow rainfall warning for the province, with rainfall of 50-100 millimeters expected from evening of Sunday until Monday morning.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and the rest of Cagayan Valley may also experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the habagat.

The rest of Luzon may see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.