2 or 3 cyclones may enter Philippines this month

MANILA, Philippines — Two or three tropical cyclones are likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Citing PAGASA’s data from 1948 to 2016, weather specialist Ariel Rojas said cyclones that enter the country in September usually cross the northern portion of Luzon, Bicol or Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Julian (international name Maysak) continued to gather strength over the Philippine Sea yesterday.

Julian was forecast to exit the country last night or this morning, Rojas said.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Julian was spotted 700 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 155 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph.

It was forecast to move north-northwest at 35 kph.

Julian was projected to move toward southern Japan and South Korea, Rojas said, adding the typhoon will continue to pull the southwest monsoon up, bringing cloudy skies and scattered light rains over Ilocos region.

Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands will continue to have rough to very rough seas in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, PAGASA spotted a new weather disturbance east of extreme Northern Luzon yesterday afternoon.

The tropical depression was still outside the Philippine area of responsibility, Rojas said.

As of 3 p.m., it was spotted 2,550 km east of extreme northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The tropical depression was almost stationary over the Pacific and was less likely to enter the country, Rojas said.

The next cyclones that will enter the country will be named Kristine, Leon and Marce, Rojas said.