Emong exits PAR, but new potential cyclone spotted off western Luzon

After enhancing the southwest monsoon and bringing heavy rain to parts of the country, Tropical Storm Emong (international name Leepi) exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Thursday and is now headed for southern Japan.

However, state weather forecasters are keeping track of a low pressure area (LPA) west of Pangasinan that may develop into a cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong in an interview on dzBB radio.

Should the LPA become a cyclone while inside the PAR, it will be locally codenamed Fabian.

For now, however, the LPA is not affecting Philippine weather. Meanwhile, Emong continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rain to Metro Manila and parts of Luzon.

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said that as of 4 a.m., Emong was estimated to be 570 km northeast of Basco, Batanes.

It packed maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, and is forecast to move north at 22 kph.

Meanwhile, the LPA was estimated to be 450 km west of Ambulong in Tanauan in Batangas.

Thursday outlook

"Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol will experience monsoon rains. Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and the rest of Luzon will be cloudy with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

It added that the rest of Mindanao will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms."

Also, moderate to strong winds from the southwest to south will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Meanwhile, PAGASA warned fishermen against heading out to the seaboards of Luzon due to strong to gale-force winds caused by the Emong-enhanced southwest monsoon.

"Larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," said PAGASA. — DVM/TJD, GMA News