LPA east of Mindanao develops into tropical depression

A tropical depression has formed outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) affects several areas of the country.

According to PAGASA’s daily weather forecast on Tuesday afternoon, the tropical depression was located 1,075 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao as of 4 p.m., moving northwestward slowly.

It currently has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. 

Caraga landfall 

Once it enters the PAR between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, the cyclone will be called “Basyang."

"On the forecast track, the center of Basyang may make landfall in Caraga by Thursday afternoon or evening. It is expected to cross Visayas and Palawan from Friday to Sunday," PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

"Basyang will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category by tomorrow evening or Thursday early morning. Further intensification prior to its landfall is not ruled out. Based on the intensity forecast, the highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 2." 

In the next 24 hours, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Negros Islands Region, Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms caused by the trough of the tropical depression.

The Northeast Monsoon will bring cloudy skies with rains over the Batanes and Babuyan Islands and partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms caused by localized thunderstorms.

Flash floods or landslides may occur due to these weather systems.

Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds with moderate to rough seas will be felt in Northern Luzon, the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, while the rest of the country will experience light to moderate winds with slight to moderate coastal waters.

Sunrise in Metro Manila will be at 6:24 a.m. on Wednesday. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News