Typhoon Dolphin to strengthen monsoon rains as it nears PAR —PAGASA

Typhoon Dolphin is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon rains as it heads west, according to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday.

PAGASA said that Typhoon Dolphin may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but it will probably only traverse the boundary.

PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said that Dolphin is unlikely to make landfall and directly impact the Philippines.

“However, while the cyclone nears the country, it may possibly enhance the southwest monsoon, and we can expect that several areas will experience rain,” Torres said in Filipino.

Torres said that heavier rains can be expected in the western part of the country.

In an interview with Balitanghali, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said that the intensified southwest monsoon rains will be felt from Friday to Sunday in Ilocos Region, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and Western Visayas.

As of 8:00 a.m., Dolphin was spotted 2,240 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h and gustiness of 190 km/h as it heads west at a pace of 15 km/h.

PAGASA also said a Low Pressure Area (LPA 07f) being monitored inside the PAR is unlikely to redevelop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, while LPA 08a, also being monitored inside the PAR, has a low chance of development into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

The first one, which used to be cyclone Luis, is in the vicinity of Kabugao, Apayao. The second one is located 180 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union.

However, Estareja noted that the LPA west of La Union has considerably thickened. The state weather bureau has not ruled out the possibility that it may intensify into a cyclone.

Estareja said that it is not uncommon for two LPAs to coexist at the same time, explaining that another LPA could form on the tail end of another one.

Asked if the coming rains are enough to replenish the metro’s dams, Estareja said that while rain could reach up to 100 mm a day, some days may not have rain at all.

“A scenario like this could add to the water levels in the Angat Dam, but this is not enough to restore it to its normal operating levels at 180 meters, given that it is at 156 meters for now,” Estareja said in Filipino. —AOL, GMA News