PAGASA: Tropical storm may enter RP this weekend

A tropical cyclone heading toward Philippine territory has intensified into a tropical storm as it maintained its course Thursday, state weather forecasters said. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Storm "Megi" may enter the country as early as Saturday. "Ine-expect natin sa weekend, Sabado siguro, papasok sa Philippine area of responsibility. Pagpasok niyan bandang Eastern Visayas o Mindanao (We expect it to enter Philippine territory this weekend, likely on Saturday. It is likely to enter the country through Eastern Visayas or Mindanao)," PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio.

From Tropical Storm Risk

Citing present models, he said the storm – to be codenamed "Juan" once it is in Philippine territory – may move northward. As of Thursday morning, he said the storm is some 500 km east of the Philippine Area of Responsibility. On the other hand, he said one of two low-pressure areas (LPAs) in Philippine territory has moved away, leaving only one to bring rains over parts of the country. As of 2 a.m. Thursday, the LPA was estimated at 400 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, embedded along Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. "Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. — LBG, GMANews.TV