Typhoon Goring enters PAR

MANILA, Philippines - A typhoon over the Pacific Ocean entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday, but the state weather bureau said it would have no direct effect on the country.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Typhoon Goring (international name Halola) was spotted at 1,390 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 145 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kph.

Rene Paciente, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) marine meteorological services section, said Goring is unlikely to make landfall or enhance the southwest monsoon.

The typhoon is forecast to stay inside the country for a few hours and exit the northeastern border of the Philippine area of responsibility before weekend, Paciente said.

It was forecast to move toward southern Japan this weekend.

Goring developed southwest of Hawaii on July 10.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the low-pressure area which drenched some parts of Luzon and the Visayas in the past few days will continue to bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan and Aurora in the next 24 hours.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the low-pressure area was spotted at 190 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

Paciente said the low-pressure area has a slim chance of intensifying into a cyclone, adding that Goring would likely absorb the low-pressure area.

He said the rest of the country, including Metro Manila, would continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms in the next few days.

‘Monsoon break’

Paciente said the country, particularly the western section, is likely to experience a monsoon break until next week.

No tropical cyclone is also forecast to enter Philippine area of responsibility until next week, he added.

Breaks in the rain events usually last for several days to weeks during the southwest monsoon season due to the strengthening of the ridge of North Pacific high pressure area, PAGASA explained.