The latest storm and low pressure news on the afternoon of August 18 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that low pressure 08f in the east of the Philippines has strengthened into a tropical depression, named Nengneng in the Philippines. This latest tropical depression is being monitored in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
The center of the tropical depression is located about 1,035km east of the northernmost point of Luzon Island. The strongest wind near the center reaches 45 km/h, gusts 55 km/h. Nengneng is moving northwest at a speed of 20 km/h.
Another tropical depression in the east of the Philippines is being monitored outside PAR. Because it is outside PAR, this tropical depression has not been named after PAGASA's naming system. This tropical depression is about 3,160km east of the northeast of Mindanao Island. This system has a maximum wind speed of 45 km/h, gusts of 55 km/h and is almost standing still.
Meanwhile, a low pressure area over the East Sea at 08:00 is also being monitored outside PAR. Philippine weather forecasters predict that this low pressure area is highly likely to strengthen into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours. The low pressure area over the East Sea is about 450km west of Calayan Island, Cagayan province.
Previously, on August 17, commenting on the predecessor of the tropical depression Nengneng, Ms. Charmagne Varilla - a weather expert at PAGASA said that this system could develop in 2 scenarios.
If it develops into a complete storm, the system can become part of the so-called path of the monsoon, that is, the area through which the southwest monsoon moves. If it does not develop into a complete storm and is overwhelmed by a storm that is likely to form in China, the possibility of this system continuing to strengthen will decrease and from there this system may dissipate quickly" - she explained.
Regardless of the scenario, this weather system could still affect the southwest monsoon, continuing to cause rain in Luzon and Visayas throughout this week.
Heavy rain of 100-200mm is forecast on August 18 in the areas of Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro. Rainfall of 50-100mm is forecast in Metro Manila and some areas in Luzon and Visayas.
Ms. Varilla said that localized heavy rains may continue in Metro Manila and most of central and southern Luzon, as well as Calabarzon, until August 19. Rainfall is expected to decrease somewhat on August 20-21, although the sky is still cloudy and there may be scattered rain.
