Signal No. 2 possible as potential tropical cyclone Kiyapo moves toward Northern Luzon — PAGASA

A weather disturbance being monitored by PAGASA is moving west-northwest and may intensify into a tropical storm as it approaches Northern Luzon on Friday or Saturday.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, the low pressure area (LPA), which PAGASA said could develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, was located 940 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said the latest tropical cyclone threat potential forecast indicates the weather disturbance is expected to directly affect the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the Cagayan Valley in the coming days.

Some areas in Central Luzon, as well as the northern portions of Quezon and the Bicol Region, may also be affected.

"Yung ating forecast for this potential na magiging bagyo na tatawagin po nating Bagyong Kiyapo ay hanggang tropical storm category pagsapit malapit sa Cagayan. Inaasahan natin na magtataas tayo ng hanggang Wind Signal No. 2," Estareja said in an update as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

(Our forecast shows that this potential tropical cyclone, which will be named Kiyapo once it becomes a tropical depression, may intensify into a tropical storm as it nears Cagayan. We may also hoist up to Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 [a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 62 to 88 km/h].)

The rest of Luzon, as well as the Visayas and Mindanao, is expected to experience rains due to the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat.

Estareja said the monsoon rains may persist until Sunday, July 26, when the weather disturbance is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Meanwhile, over the next 24 hours, the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Romblon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the trough of the LPA.

The Southwest Monsoon will also bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Mindanao, Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Palawan.

The rest of the country can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.

Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate coastal waters will prevail across the country.

The sun will rise over Metro Manila at 5:37 a.m. Thursday. —VBL, GMA News