A low pressure area located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression, according to an advisory issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, May 26.
As of 4 p.m. On Tuesday, the system was situated 1,360 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao. It is currently almost stationary, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour with gustiness reaching up to 55 km/h.
PAGASA indicated that the tropical depression is expected to move erratically over the next 24 hours as it continues to consolidate. The agency projects that the system may enter the PAR as a tropical storm by Thursday afternoon or evening, at which point it would be assigned the local name Domeng.
Did You Know?
The rainy season in the Philippines typically commences in the second half of May or the first half of June, a period when PAGASA is expected to make an official declaration regarding the start of the season.
Expert Insight:
While the storm is currently projected to remain offshore, the interaction between a developing cyclone and regional wind patterns is a critical factor to monitor. The potential for the storm to enhance the southwest monsoon, or habagat, suggests that even systems that do not make direct landfall can still significantly impact weather conditions across the archipelago.
Potential Path and Regional Impacts
Projections suggest the tropical cyclone could intensify further, potentially reaching typhoon status over the Philippine Sea by Saturday, May 30. While PAGASA notes it is less likely to make landfall, the storm could approach extreme Northern Luzon or the Batanes-Babuyan Islands. Should this trajectory hold, the region may experience strong winds, and the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is a possibility.
In addition to the approaching system, the country is currently feeling the effects of a southwesterly windflow. This precursor to the southwest monsoon is bringing scattered rain and thunderstorms to Palawan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental.
The trough of the tropical depression is also influencing weather in the remainder of Mindanao, resulting in scattered rain and thunderstorms. Meanwhile, the rest of the country is expected to experience generally fair weather, with the exception of localized thunderstorms.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the tropical depression expected to enter the PAR?
The system may enter the PAR as a tropical storm by Thursday afternoon or evening, May 28.
Is the storm expected to make landfall?
PAGASA stated that the cyclone is less likely to make landfall, though it could approach the Batanes-Babuyan Islands or extreme Northern Luzon.
What is the current status of the southwest monsoon?
The southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, has not yet officially started, but a southwesterly windflow currently acting as its precursor is already bringing rain to parts of Mindanao and Palawan.
How are you and your community preparing for the shift toward the rainy season this year?
