Two Tropical Cyclone-Like Vortices May Develop in Weeks, PAGASA Says

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Tuesday that two tropical cyclone-like vortices (TCLVs) are expected to develop in the next two weeks, amid a tropical depression located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). One of the TCLVs, also referred to as low pressure areas, is likely to develop within the West Philippine Sea in the next six days, PAGASA stated in its 5:00 p.m. press briefing. The West Philippine Sea is a strategically important maritime area that has been the subject of international disputes. Another TCLV is likely to develop over the Tropical Cyclone Information Domain between September 21 and 27, based on PAGASA’s latest tropical cyclone threat potential forecast. This system may then enter the northeastern section of the PAR. Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring a tropical depression outside PAR that was located 2,785 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon. It maintains maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 70 kph. PAGASA said the tropical depression is not currently affecting the country, but it is not ruling out the possibility that it may enter PAR between Friday and Saturday. If it enters PAR, it will be named Queenie, the country’s 17th tropical cyclone this year. — Edg Adrian A. Eva