2 to 3 tropical cyclones expected in August — Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos should brace for around two to three tropical cyclones this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced yesterday.

PAGASA weather forecasting section chief Robert Sawi said cyclones that enter the Philippines in August usually cross Northern or Central Luzon.

Sawi said Filipinos would continue to experience fair weather in the coming days apart from isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

He said portions of Southern Luzon and the Visayas would continue to experience monsoon rains.

Sawi said the cloud cluster spotted off the Pacific has developed into a low-pressure area, but it is not expected to affect any part of the country until the weekend.

“Up to the weekend we can expect fair weather apart from isolated thunderstorms,” he said.

But he said the low-pressure area, which was still outside the Philippine area of responsibility as of yesterday afternoon, may enhance the southwest monsoon once it develops into a cyclone and moves northward.

In a separate statement, PAGASA weather specialist Nikos Peñaranda said there is a “low to medium” chance of tropical cyclone development in the next two weeks.

Most parts of the country will have generally near normal rainfall this month with patch of below normal rainfall over parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos region, according to Ana Liza Solis, officer-in-charge of PAGASA’s climate monitoring and prediction section.