MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos in eastern Visayas and Mindanao might experience rains this Holy Week due to a brewing cyclone that may enter the country on Monday or Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported yesterday.
A low-pressure area over the Pacific Ocean is expected to intensify into a tropical depression before it enters the Philippine area of responsibility, PAGASA senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente said.
He said the storm is not likely to make landfall in any part of the country but its trough or tail end could bring light rains over eastern Visayas and Mindanao.
The disturbance may also trigger rough to very rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Bicol and the Visayas next week, Paciente added.
As of 10 a.m. yesterday, the low-pressure area was spotted at 2,340 kilometers southeast of Mindanao.
“It will recurve to the north once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday or Tuesday,” Paciente said.
He said based on latest data, the developing cyclone might reach typhoon category and hit some parts of southern Japan.
Meanwhile, hot weather will prevail over the rest of the country, including Metro Manila, next week with possible occurrence of thunderstorms especially on Good Friday.
Paciente said the dry season may officially begin next week or in the first week of April.
For the past four years, Paciente said the country had been hit by a tropical cyclone during Holy Week.