Another low-pressure area (LPA) is poised to transform into a tropical depression as Hanna departs on Saturday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is closely monitoring clusters of clouds that could consolidate within the next 24 hours, potentially evolving into a tropical depression over the upcoming weekend.
Nevertheless, Benison Estareja, a weather specialist, refrained from confirming whether this weather disturbance will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and directly impact the nation.
Meanwhile, the Pagasa forecaster noted that Severe Tropical Storm “Hanna” (known internationally as Haikui) continues its west-northwest trajectory across the Philippine Sea. There is a possibility that it might intensify into a typhoon within the next 24 hours.
Hanna’s center was pinpointed at approximately 870 kilometers east of the northernmost part of Luzon. It is moving at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds reaching 110kph near its core, accompanied by gusts of up to 135kph, as reported by the state-operated meteorological agency.
Pagasa’s stance is that this severe tropical storm is not expected to bring significant rainfall across the country during the projected period.
“However, the southwest monsoon (‘habagat’), which is currently augmented by Hanna, Typhoon ‘Saola’ (previously ‘Goring,’ already beyond PAR), and Severe Tropical Storm ‘Kirogi’ situated over the Pacific Ocean, will induce sporadic to monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon in the forthcoming three days,” Estareja conveyed. (ai/mnm)
