The latest typhoon and low pressure news on the afternoon of May 5 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that 2 low pressures in the east of the country are being closely monitored by experts. One low pressure is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on May 5, and the remaining low pressure is likely to develop into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours.
The low pressure area closer to the Philippines (named 05a) was recorded about 930km northeast of Mindanao at 2 pm on May 5 and is unlikely to develop into a storm. However, this low pressure area may cause rain in some areas of Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan on May 7 and May 8.
Meanwhile, 05b has strengthened into a tropical depression, about 2,575km northeast of Mindanao. The tropical depression is moving slowly, with sustained winds of 55 km/h, gusts up to 70 km/h. This tropical depression is highly likely to strengthen into a storm within the next 24 hours.
It is noteworthy that this potential storm system may enter PAR by the weekend and will be named Caloy locally. According to current forecasts, this potential storm is unlikely to make landfall or directly affect the Philippines.
Remote weather systems are unlikely to directly affect the country in the next 3-5 days," said weather forecaster Veronica Torres of PAGASA.
According to PAGASA's storm forecast, a maximum of 2 storms will form or enter PAR this month. Storms in May previously often changed direction before making landfall or sweeping through the central Philippines and then entering the East Sea.
Previously, the Philippines recorded 2 storms in this year's storm season: Tropical storm Ada, approaching Eastern Visayas and Bicol in January, and tropical storm Basyang, passing through Caraga and part of Visayas in early February.
Although the 2 low pressures have not directly affected, hot and humid easterly winds are still dominating the entire Philippines. Currently, the Philippines is at the peak of the hot and dry season, which may last until the second week of May.
