New tropical depression 'Vinta' enters Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical depression "Vinta," the fifth cyclone of the country this month and the 22nd for the year, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday.

"Vinta" was spotted 1,150 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 4 a.m., moving west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez said in a state news report that so far, Vinta is not affecting the country and no public storm warning signal has been raised. However, the cyclone can still intensify while it is at sea.

Perez said that if "Vinta" sustains its current direction and speed, it may make landfall over Northern and Central Luzon by Wednesday or Thursday.

PAGASA said Vinta's forecast location by Wednesday morning was 600 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes by Wednesday morning, 300 km East of Baler, Aurora by Thursday morning and by Friday morning at 180 km west of Baguio City.

Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Metro Manila will continue to experience cloudy skies and isolated rain showers especially in the evening and afternoon due to the northeast monsoon.

The estimated rainfall amount within the cyclone's 300 km diameter was 5 - 7.5 millimeter per hour (moderate - occasionally heavy).

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.