LPA intensifies into tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines - A low-pressure area east of extreme Northern Luzon intensified into a tropical storm yesterday but is no longer expected to enter the country, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical depression with international name “Etau” was spotted at 1,750 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Etau was moving north-northwest toward Japan at 20 kilometers per hour.

It packed winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

“It is no longer expected to enter (the Philippine area of responsibility) or enhance the southwest monsoon,” Aurelio said in a phone interview.

However, he said the southwest monsoon would continue to bring occasional rains over Visayas and Mindanao until tomorrow.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with thunderstorms, meanwhile, are forecast over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, he said.

Two to four cyclones are predicted to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month.

Should the low-pressure area off Northern Luzon still enter the country, it will be locally called “Jenny.”