PAGASA keeps track of new potential cyclone

State weather forecasters are keeping track of a low-pressure area off Northern Luzon that they said has a 50-50 chance of intensifying into a cyclone. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance will be codenamed “Inday" if it becomes a cyclone in Philippine territory. “We are keeping track of it. It is still at sea so it may still gather strength. We are giving it a 50-50 chance to become a tropical cyclone," PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio on Tuesday. She said the low-pressure area was not active yet as of early Tuesday. PAGASA, in its 5 a.m. bulletin, said the weather condition was estimated at 840 km east of Central Luzon as of 2 a.m., and was embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the country. It said the whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Last week, a low-pressure area eventually intensified into a cyclone, but only after it exited the Philippine area of responsibility. The cyclone, internationally codenamed “Meranti," posed a threat to fishermen off Extreme Northern Luzon as it enhanced waves and winds in the area. — LBG, GMANews.TV