LPA off northern Luzon now Tropical Depression Luis

MANILA, Philippines — The low pressure area detected northwest of extreme Northern Luzon has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and has intensified into a tropical depression Thursday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

The tropical depression has been named “Luis.”

The eye of Tropical Depression Luis was last seen 290 kilometers north northwest of Basco, Batanes.

Moving east northeastward at 15 kilometers per hour, it is packing maximum strength of up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

Tropical Depression Luis is not expected to directly affect any part of the country but it may boost the southwest monsoon.

Starting Friday, residents of La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands and the Cordillera Administrative Region will experience scattered moderate to heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon.

PAGASA warned that sea travel is also risky in the northern and western seaboards of northern Luzon.

Forecast positions

• Friday morning: 505 kilometers north of Basco, Batanes
• Saturday morning: 545 kilometers north northwest of Basco, Batanes
• Sunday morning: 585 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes (outside PAR)

— Philstar intern Ali Ian Marcelino Biong