The latest storm and low pressure forecast on January 5 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that weather experts are monitoring some cloud clusters in eastern Mindanao that are likely to strengthen into low pressure.
However, PAGASA weather expert Benison Estareja said that this low pressure near the East Sea is unlikely to strengthen into a tropical depression.
Estareja noted that the strong northeast monsoon is affecting the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Aurora, Quezon and Camarines Norte regions. The weather in these areas is cloudy, with rain.
Another weather system, the easterly winds blowing from the east and passing through the Pacific Ocean carrying warm and moist air, will appear in Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen (Southern Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos). Scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected in these areas.
Northeast winds have also affected Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, causing cloudy skies with scattered light rains.
Due to the influence of the easterly winds, PAGASA noted that other areas of the Philippines will have scattered showers or thunderstorms in the next 24 hours.
Previously, on February 4, PAGASA forecasted that the possibility of tropical storm formation this week was very low. PAGASA typhoon forecaster Obet Badrina said: "The possibility of tropical storm formation today and in the next few days this week is still low. Similar to March, the likelihood of typhoon formation in February is typically low.
The Philippine weather agency's February typhoon forecast also confirmed that there is a possibility of only one typhoon or no typhoon in February. PAGASA expert Junie Ruiz noted that climate models show a low chance of low pressure forming in February.
