A low pressure area being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is likely to develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
However, this system is currently assessed as having little chance of entering PAR, according to information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on March 9.
According to meteorologist Aldczar Aurelio of Pagasa, the closest location of the low pressure area on the morning of March 9 was about 1,470 km east of Mindanao Island.
Although still far from the mainland, the trough of the low pressure area has begun to affect the weather in the Philippines. On March 9, the Visayas, Mindanao and Sorsogon and Masbate provinces are forecast to be cloudy, with scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Pagasa said that the convergence zone of this low pressure area may continue to affect the Philippines in the next 2-3 days, especially in the Mindanao area.
At the same time, the northeast monsoon is still active on most of Luzon Island. This monsoon system is forecast to cause cloudy skies with rain in Cagayan valley, Aurora, Quezon and many places in the Bicol region.
Some other areas such as Cordillera, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon may also experience prolonged light rain due to the influence of this weather pattern. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and many other areas are forecast to be cloudy, with locally occurring light rain.
Pagasa predicts that the northeast monsoon may continue for another 2-3 days, while expanding its influence to the Visayas region.
Notably, strong sea wave warnings are being applied on the northern and eastern coasts of Catanduanes and the northern and eastern coasts of Northern Samar, where sea waves can reach up to about 5 m high.
The Philippine meteorological agency recommends that ships and marine tourism activities should be temporarily suspended in these areas to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting recorded that the North East Sea area has strong Northeast winds at level 6, especially the northeast sea area at level 7.
Due to the influence of cold air, the Gulf of Tonkin has strong Northeast winds at level 5, then increasing to level 6, gusting to level 7-8; rough seas; waves 2.0-3.0m high.
Northern East Sea area (including Hoang Sa special zone): strong Northeast wind level 6, especially the northeast sea area level 7, gusts level 8-9; sea waves 3.0-5.0m high; strong rough seas.
Sea area from South Quang Tri to Dak Lak: from night 9. 3 winds shift to Northeast, gradually strengthening to level 5, sometimes level 6, gusts level 7-8; rough seas; waves 2.0-4.0m high.
Area from Khanh Hoa to Vinh Long: wind gradually strengthens to level 6, gusts level 7-8; rough seas; sea waves 2.0-4.0m high.
Strong winds and big waves at sea can affect the operation of ships and maritime activities.
