A low-pressure area near Mindanao is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend but will not likely make landfall, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
The State weather bureau last spotted the LPA at 1,300 kilometers east of Mindanao outside PAR yesterday morning.
PAGASA weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said the weather disturbance could develop into a tropical depression and possibly enter PAR today or tomorrow, a week after PAGASA officially declared the start of the rainy season.
Once the LPA enters PAR and becomes a tropical depression, it will be locally named “Dodong,” the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year following tropical depressions “Amang” in January, “Betty” in February, and “Chedeng” in March.
However, Bulquerin said that the tropical cyclone is not expected to hit landmass.
PAGASA had earlier warned that the prevailing weak El Niño phenomenon in the country might result into stronger tropical cyclones this year.
PAGASA also said that El Niño is not expected to reduce the number of tropical cyclones that would enter the country.
Citing different climate models, 10 to 13 tropical cyclones may enter PAR between June to November this year, according to PAGASA. (Alexandria San Juan)
