'Nonoy' out, 'Onyok' in

MANILA, Philippines - A new tropical depression named “Onyok’’ is expected to enter the country tomorrow as typhoon “Nonoy’’ (international name: “Kulap”) left the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday afternoon.

Graciano Yumul, supervising undersecretary of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the new weather disturbance was spotted at 2,500 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes as of yesterday.

Yumul said “Onyok’’ will not directly hit the country. 

“It is not expected to directly hit the country or enhance the southwest monsoon. It will follow the same path taken by Kulap if there is no change in its direction,’’ Yumul said in a text message to The STAR.

The weather bureau said rains will still prevail over some parts of the country this weekend.

According to Yumul, the intertropical convergence zone will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains over Palawan, central and southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

He said moderate to heavy rains will prevail over southern Mindoro and northern Palawan this afternoon.

The rest of the country will have fair weather.

Yumul said the southwest monsoon will affect southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, bringing cloudy skies with light rains tomorrow.

 Nonoy made a brief visit to the Philippines before heading to Japan Thursday, the weather bureau said.