MANILA, (PNA) — Another tropical storm is expect to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning, the state weather bureau said on Tuesday.
In a interview, PAGASA weather Forecaster Jori Loiz said the tropical storm with international name “Haiyan” will be locally named “Yolanda” once it enters PAR. It will be the 24th storm to enter the country this year.
Loiz said that Haiyan was estimated at 2,026 km east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 115 kph and gustiness of up to 146 kph. It is forecast to move west at 25 kph.
He also said once the tropical storm maintains its direction and speed, it is expected to make landfall in Eastern Visayas.
PAGASA expects two to three cyclones to affect the country this month.
Meanwhile, Loiz said the low pressure area (LPA) spotted off Palawan is expected to exit PAR by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
He said as of 4 p.m., the LPA was spotted some 250 km west northwest of Puerto Princesa City (10.8°N 116.4°E) almost the boundary of PAR.
He added that once it exits, it is expected to re-intensify since its in the sea.
He noted that if it again strengthens into a tropical depression once inside the country, it will retain its local name “Wilma.”
“Wilma” is the first cyclone to affect the country this month and the 23rd for the year.
Loiz said the LPA move towards Vietnam by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
In the next 24 hours, Loiz said that due to wind convergence, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the provinces of Palawan and Mindoro will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers.
He added that northeast monsoon will bring cloudy skies with light rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley while the rest of country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.