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.
