Weather: Tropical depression moves closer to PHL

A tropical depression expected to enter Philippine territory Monday may linger in the country's area of responsibility this week, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said the depression, to be locally codenamed "Onyok" upon entering Philippine territory, will enhance the southwest monsoon and trigger rain on parts of the country. "Inaasahang ngayong araw na ito papasok ng Philippine area of responsibility... within this day kung hindi magbago (We expect it to enter the Philippine area of responsibility within this day if it does not change course)," Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. On Sunday night, PAGASA said on its Twitter account the tropical depression will not likely make landfall in the Philippines. "Expected areas to be affected by tropical depression ‘Onyok’ will be North and Central Luozn. The southwest monsoon will also be enhanced," it said. It added that Onyok may remain inside Philippine territory until Thursday. "‘Onyok,’ if no change, will be inside the Philippine area of responsibility until Thursday," it added. Galang said the tropical depression is likely to graze the boundary between extreme northern Luzon and Taiwan. He added the cyclone may enhance the monsoon while in Philippine territory. "Medyo may katagalan sa Philippine area of responsibility kung westward ang movement niya, babaybay sa Philippine area of responsibility. Kung hindi siya magbago maghahatak ito ng southwest monson pag papalapit siya (We expect the cyclone to linger in Philippine territory if it continues moving westward, and to enhance the southwest monsoon in the process)," he said. Location As of 2 a.m. Monday, PAGASA said the tropical depression was estimated at 1,250 km east northeast of of Basco, Batanes. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Bicol will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, it added. PAGASA also siad that 'light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over northern and Central Luzon... while the coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate." — RSJ, GMA News