PAGASA tracks new weather disturbance northeast of Luzon

Barely a week after tropical cyclone "Mina" (Nanmadol) devastated parts of Northern Luzon, a potential cyclone – a shallow low-pressure area – was spotted off Cagayan province Sunday. However, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the SLPA is not yet likely to affect the country at this time. "Meron po tayong isang [SLPA], 640 km east-northeast ng Tuguegarao City," PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio. Asked if the SLPA would affect the country this time, he said "medyo sa bandang itaas pa yan (it's still far, far north)." He also did not speculate on the chances of the SLPA becoming a cyclone. Should the SLPA eventually intensify into a cyclone, it will be locally codenamed "Nonoy." Three to four cyclones are expected in the Philippines in September, Mendoza said. "Malalakas ang bagyo na yan kasi karamihan ang pagkilos ng mga iyan ay pakanluran," he said. As of 2 a.m. Sunday, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said, "The Eastern sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas and the whole of Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms." Amihan in 2nd half of October As for the "amihan" (northeast winds), Mendoza said it is expected in the second part of October. "Wala pa ngayon, hindi pa po nagbi-build up ang high-pressure area sa Mainland China," he said. Meanwhile, Mendoza said rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Other parts of the country will be cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, he added. "Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms," he said. — LBG, GMA News