By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said they are closely monitoring a new developing storm, which is forecasted to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility over the weekend.

Based on PAGASA’s weather bulletin, a tropical depression has formed 2,160 kilometers east of southern Luzon, packing winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts up to 65 kph.

PAGASA said the storm is still too far away to have any effect on the country, although, once it enters, the storm would be given the name “Paeng.”

Forecast models from PAGASA and other international weather agencies, such as the US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the Japan Meteorological Agency, all forecasted the storm would not directly hit the country and would instead curve upwards towards Taiwan or Japan.

However, PAGASA and the said agencies all agree the storm could possibly enhance the southwest monsoon over the western section of the country, including the Western Visayas.

Meteorologists also stated the storm could develop into a typhoon over the next 96 hours./DGB, WDJ