Tropical depression to enter Philippines this Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — Light rains will prevail over the eastern section of the country this Holy Week due to a tropical storm, which is expected to enter the country tomorrow, the state weather bureau said.

Ariel Rojas, weather specialist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), yesterday said the approaching cyclone is still not likely to make landfall in any part of the country.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the disturbance was located at 1,560 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It was forecast to move west-northwest at a speed of 23 kph.

Rojas said the storm will be given the local name Caloy once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility.

The cyclone may reach the typhoon category, but it is expected to “recurve” to the north or towards Japan.

Rojas said the extension or trough of the tropical depression is likely to bring light rains over the Bicol region, eastern Visayas and eastern Mindanao.

It was also forecast to bring rough to very rough seas in the eastern Philippines.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will experience fair weather this week.

The tropical cyclone is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.

Rojas also said the northeast monsoon continued to bring cold temperatures over Luzon. In Baguio City, the temperature dropped to 11.5 degrees Celsius Sunday morning.

PAGASA expects the cessation of the northeast monsoon – cold air from China and Siberia – in the first week of April.

“The northeast monsoon may terminate in the first week of April, giving way to the official start of the dry season,” Rojas said.

During the dry or summer season, the easterlies or warm air from the Pacific will be the dominant wind system in the country.