Cyclone to enter Philippines this weekend

MANILA, Philippines – A tropical cyclone is expected to enter the country this weekend and bring rains over extreme northern Luzon.

Rene Paciente, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) senior weather forecaster, said the tropical depression was spotted at 2,500 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 4 a.m. yesterday.

Paciente said the tropical depression could intensify into a storm before it enters the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The cyclone will be given the local name Helen once it enters the country.

“Latest forecast show it will head toward the Batanes-Taiwan area,” Paciente said.

If the cyclone maintains its current track – which is northwest – it could also affect extreme Northern Luzon, according to Paciente.

“Its effects are likely to be felt beginning Tuesday,” he said.

Paciente could not immediately say if the approaching cyclone will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Ferdie – considered as the world’s strongest cyclone so far this year – lashed Batanes with strong winds and heavy rains on Sept. 13, cutting power and damaging over a thousand houses.