Low-pressure area intensifies into Nimfa

MANILA, Philippines — The entire Luzon will continue to experience rains until the weekend as a low-pressure area off Batanes intensified yesterday into Tropical Depression Nimfa.

Ezra Bulquerin, weather specialist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the trough or outer periphery of Nimfa will bring scattered rains over the Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley.

Nimfa, the 14th cyclone to enter the country this year, was almost stationary over the Philippine Sea as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will also experience light to moderate to at times heavy rains due to the enhanced southwest monsoon until Friday. 

Bulquerin said frequent light to moderate with occasional heavy rains are expected over Central Luzon, particularly Zambales and Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro until this afternoon.

Apart from rains, rough to very rough seas will also prevail over Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, northern coast of Ilocos Norte, Isabela and Cagayan.

Bulquerin warned fishermen and operators of small sea vessels against waves as high as 4.5 meters.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Nimfa was estimated at 695 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. It packed winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Bulquerin said Nimfa was expected to exhibit “erratic” movement in the next 24 hours.

It was forecast to develop into a storm within 72 hours.

The weather disturbance is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday.

Nimfa formed from the remnants of Tropical Depression Marilyn which entered and left the country last week.

The Visayas and Mindanao will have fair weather apart from isolated rains due to thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the shallow low-pressure area off Zambales was expected to dissipate in the next 48 hours.

As of 4 p.m., the weather system was located at 95 km west of Iba, Zambales.

It was forecast to cross the western coast of Central Luzon in the next 48 hours.