The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is monitoring two weather disturbances located outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as of Saturday, August 8. According to the state weather bureau, a tropical depression and a low-pressure area (LPA) were spotted east of extreme Northern Luzon, though neither system is expected to make landfall or directly impact the country.
Tracking the Tropical Depression and Low-Pressure Area
As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, the tropical depression was tracked approximately 3,055 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon. Pagasa reported that the system packs maximum sustained wind speeds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) with gustiness reaching up to 55 kph, moving eastward at a speed of 50 kph.
Separately, an LPA was located about 1,760 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 2 p.m. the same day. Pagasa indicated that this system carries a high probability of developing into a tropical depression within the subsequent 24-hour window. Despite their proximity to the country’s outer boundaries, Pagasa weather specialist Daniel Villamil stated during a 5 p.m. weather advisory that both disturbances are tracking away from the Philippines.
“Itong dalawang sama ng panahon na ito, ang movement nila ay papalayo sa ating bansa, walang magiging direktang epekto sa lagay ng ating panahon at hindi po ito papasok sa ating Philippine area of responsibility,” Villamil said, confirming that the systems will bypass the PAR entirely.
Typhoon Dolphin and Direct Local Weather Impacts
While the twin systems outside the PAR remain distant, Pagasa is actively tracking Typhoon Dolphin inside the country’s Tropical Cyclone Information Domain. Positioned 825 kilometers north-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon as of 4 p.m. on Saturday, Typhoon Dolphin packs maximum sustained winds of 150 kph and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
The outer extensions, or trough, of Typhoon Dolphin are forecast to generate scattered rains and thunderstorms affecting Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Furthermore, Pagasa noted in an advisory that the typhoon is expected to further enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, which will bring rains across the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.
Looking ahead, residents in regions affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and the trough of Typhoon Dolphin could experience continued wet weather conditions. Depending on the movement of Typhoon Dolphin and the development of the monitored LPA, weather agencies may issue further advisories regarding coastal and wind conditions in western areas.