Pagasa tracking 'Nina'

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical depression “Nina” entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday, but weathermen said it is still too far to directly affect the country.

Chris Perez, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said Nina is expected to intensify into a storm within the next 24 hours.

Perez said Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao would experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers until the weekend.

“Based on its present speed and direction, Nina is not expected to make landfall within the next two to three days,” Perez said in a phone interview.

But if it maintains its present speed and direction, it would likely make landfall over northeastern Luzon, he said.

Nina is the 14th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second this month.

At 2 p.m. yesterday, it was estimated at 1,020 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center. It was forecast to move west at 15 kph.

Nina is forecast to be at 850 kms east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes this morning, at 620 kms east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes tomorrow morning, and at 450 kms Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 560 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora by Monday morning.

Perez said Nina is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon as it moves closer to the country.