Tropical Depression to Enter PAR Wednesday or Thursday

The low pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has intensified into tropical depression and is expected to enter the country by Wednesday evening or Thursday, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday.

PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier said that as of 4 a.m. the tropical depression outside the PAR was estimated at 2,535 km east of Luzon (14.7N, 145.2E) with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center. It is forecast to move west northwest at 25 kph.

Maintaining its speed and movement, the tropical depression is expected to enter PAR by Wednesday evening or Thursday, he said.

Once it enters the country it will be locally named “Lando”, the 12th tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.

For Tuesday forecast, Javier said the tail end of a cold front continues to bring cloudy skies with rains in extreme Northern Luzon.

The tail-end of a cold front is the front boundary of two air masses, which produces clouds and rain.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon And the islands of Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan.

He said except for isolated thunderstorms, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

He said with the strong to gale force winds associated with northeasterly surface windflow, the state-run weather bureau also issued gale warning as the sea condition will be rough to very rough and is expected to affect the seaboard of Northern Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to northwest with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC