State meteorologists are keeping a close eye on a
developing storm off the Pacific Ocean that could enter the Philippine
area of responsibility (PAR) later this week.
Jori Loiz, senior weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the
looming cyclone was located some 1,500 kilometers east of the PAR as of
yesterday afternoon.
He warned the developing weather disturbance is likely to reach the
typhoon category as it hovers over the Pacific Ocean in the next few
days.
Loiz told The STAR of two scenarios for the cyclone. The most likely
is that the storm could intensify further but will veer north towards
Japan. The second scenario is the cyclone will intensity into a typhoon
and enter the PAR on Friday.
“The movement of the developing cyclone will depend on the
high-pressure area northeast of the Philippines,” Loiz said, noting that
the HPA has not moved in the past days.
“The most possible scenario is it will enter the PAR but will recurve
toward east of Japan… But if the HPA will not move, the cyclone, which
could be a strong one, could make landfall in the Philippines,” he
added.
He noted that the location of the looming cyclone is also the place where Super Typhoon Yolanda formed last year.
“Hopefully, the HPA will move, because we expect this to be really
strong. It is still far and could gain more strength while over the
sea,” Loiz said.
He said one or two cyclones are likely to enter the Philippines this
month, warning that cyclones during this time of the year usually make
landfall.
The usual track of the cyclones during the latter part of the year is Visayas and Mindanao.
On Nov. 8 last year, Yolanda slammed the Visayas, leaving more than
6,000 people dead and 1,700 missing. Strong storms Pablo and Sendong hit
Mindanao in December.
Meanwhile, Loiz said fair weather is expected in most parts of the
country in the next three days, apart from isolated rain showers and
thunderstorms.
He said a low-pressure area (LPA) that dumped rains in Mindanao and
parts of Visayas and Luzon over the weekend was spotted at 75 km west
southwest of Romblon, Romblon as of 10 a.m. yesterday.
The LPA was likely to dissipate or continue to cross Southern Luzon
towards the West Philippine Sea, where it could regain strength, he
said.
