‘Tropical depression may develop by weekend’

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression may form within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by the weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Once formed, it will be named Julian and will be the 10th cyclone to enter the PAR this year.

State weather forecasters said a low-pressure area (LPA) may develop inside the PAR today or tomorrow east of extreme Northern Luzon.

This weather disturbance may bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Batanes and Babuyan islands.

The LPA may develop into a tropical depression by the weekend while moving northwest.

Today, generally fair weather is expected, but the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is affecting the Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan.

The ITCZ is bringing scattered rains over Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula and Palawan.

The easterlies are bringing isolated rains over Bicol region and Quezon.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.