The latest storm news from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that at 2:00 PM on March 10, a tropical depression - formerly low pressure 03a - is operating outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
The center of the tropical depression is located about 1,325km east of the Eastern Visayas region, at 11.6 degrees north latitude and 137.9 degrees east longitude.
The tropical depression has the strongest wind near the center of about 55 km/h, gusting 70 km/h and is moving slowly in a north-northeast direction.
Meteorologists predict that this tropical depression could strengthen into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours. However, the forecast trajectory shows that the system will continue to move northeast and is unlikely to enter PAR.
However, the prolonged low pressure trough from this system can still affect the weather in many areas of the Philippines.
Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi regions are cloudy, with scattered showers and thunderstorms due to the impact of the low pressure trough.
Rainfall sometimes reaches medium to high levels, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in steep terrain areas or places where the soil has saturated water.
Meanwhile, the Cagayan Valley, Bicol region, Aurora and Quezon provinces may experience heavy clouds with light rain due to the influence of the northeast monsoon. The meteorological agency believes that these areas have not recorded significant weather risks.
Wind and sea conditions in many coastal areas are also becoming noteworthy.
In the east of Visayas and Mindanao, northeast to north winds are blowing at an average to strong level, causing sea waves to be 2.5 to 3.4m high, causing rough seas from average to strong.
The Luzon area recorded northeast winds blowing at a similar intensity, with sea waves from 1.5 to 3.1m high.
Although the tropical depression is quite far from the mainland, the meteorological agency still warns that the system's low pressure trough may continue to cause scattered rain in some areas in southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the coming days.
Special warnings were issued for the risk of floods and landslides, especially in areas that have had prolonged rain recently.
Since the beginning of the year, the Philippines has recorded two tropical cyclones forming in the region, including Typhoon Ada appearing in January and Typhoon Basyang in February.
The Philippine meteorological agency forecasts that in March there may be another tropical cyclone forming or entering the country's responsibility area.
According to many years of statistics, storms appearing in March tend to change direction to the north before making landfall or passing through the central Philippines.
If the current low pressure strengthens into a storm and enters PAR, the next name in the Philippines' naming list will be Typhoon Caloy.
