Falcon to enhance southwest monsoon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Falcon is forecast to develop into a typhoon today, and while it remains far from Philippine landmass it may enhance the southwest monsoon, according to state weather forecasters.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) said that Falcon (international name Khanun) was monitored 1,205 kilometers east of Central Luzon carrying maximum sustained winds of 75 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Further intensification is expected and it may reach peak intensity late Monday or early Tuesday as it exits the Philippine area of responsibility.

It is moving northward but PAGASA said that shifts in its track remain possible as Falcon is still consolidating its circulation.

Still, PAGASA said that the cyclone will remain over the Philippine Sea and far from landmass, thus the raising of tropical cyclone wind signals is unlikely.

Falcon and departed typhoon Egay may enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon and the Visayas in the next days.

Heavy rainfall of around 100-200 mm is forecast over Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro today and Monday.

Meanwhile, 50 to 100 mm of rain are forecast over Pangasinan and the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo and Kalayaan islands.

The southwest monsoon is already bringing monsoon rains over Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro, while occasional rains are forecast over Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas and Northern Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.

The monsoon will also bring scattered rainshowers over the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol region, rest of the Visayas, rest of Central Luzon, rest of Calabarzon, rest of Ilocos region and the rest of Mimaropa.