The latest storm and low pressure information from the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said that a new low pressure appeared near the Philippines on December 14.
The new low pressure Invest 96W is currently located in the western Pacific Ocean. The new low pressure has maximum sustained surface winds of about 30 km/h, and an estimated minimum sea level pressure of nearly 1009 hPa.
JTWC forecasters said the new low pressure Invest 96W is likely to strengthen into a storm in the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the Inquirer’s latest typhoon bulletin said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring a low-pressure system northeast of the Philippine Forecast Area (PAR). The low pressure system has a moderate chance of intensifying into a typhoon before December 19.
The next storm to form or enter PAR will be locally named Querubin by the Philippines and will be the 17th storm to affect the Philippines this season.
Earlier, forecasters at PAGASA also predicted that a low pressure area could form between December 20 and 26 near the Philippines. According to forecasters, the low pressure area has little risk of strengthening into a tropical storm at this time, but it could form in the seas between Mindanao and Visayas.
Currently, there are three weather systems affecting different parts of the Philippines.
The intertropical convergence zone is affecting Southern Mindanao and causing scattered rains in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Meanwhile, easterly winds are causing scattered rains and thunderstorms in Bicol and Quezon provinces.
Light rains are forecast in Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Ifugao due to the northeast monsoon. The monsoon will also bring scattered light rains in Ilocos, Central Luzon and the rest of the Cordillera. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and other areas may experience scattered rains due to the easterly winds.
