PAGASA: Tropical depression could enter Phl on Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines - A tropical depression could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week, the state weather bureau said on Monday.

Weather forecaster Jori Loiz of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a report that the cyclone may enter the country “either Wednesday or Thursday" if it continues to move on its westward track.

Loiz said that based on PAGASA’s numerical models, the cyclone would pass near extreme Northern Luzon and enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over the country.

If the tropical depression enters the PAR, it will be named "Huaning," the first cyclone to visit the country this month and the eighth this year.

PAGASA expects two to three storms to affect the country this month.

In an advisory early Monday morning, PAGASA said the Intertropical Convergence Zone is affecting Palawan and Mindanao.

The state weather bureau also said Ilocos Region, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

It added that light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the east to northeast over Visayas and Mindanao.