Tropical Depression Luis Forms Inside PAR, May Affect Philippines

A low pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression, locally named Luis, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Saturday evening, August 1. Luis is the country’s 12th tropical cyclone for 2026, and the first for August. As of 10 p.m. on Saturday, Luis was located 360 kilometers east of Daet, Camarines Norte, moving west at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h). The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. PAGASA said Luis is projected to stay over the Philippine Sea. But if its forecast track shifts westward, it could make landfall in Northern Luzon or Central Luzon, or go near these areas. Luis might also strengthen into a tropical storm by Monday, August 3, while moving over the sea east of Central Luzon. However, it may be downgraded back to a tropical depression by Tuesday, August 4, and into an LPA or remnant low by Wednesday, August 5. PAGASA immediately raised Signal No. 1 for portions of Southern Luzon in its initial bulletin released at 11 p.m. on Saturday. The following areas are covered, which means they will have strong winds from Luis: Polillo Islands northern part of Camarines Norte (Daet, Talisay, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Capalonga, Vinzons) northern part of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban) The weather bureau added that the southwest monsoon or habagat and the periphery or outer bands of the tropical depression will bring strong to gale-force gusts to these areas: Sunday, August 2 Marinduque, Romblon, Caluya Islands, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands Monday, August 3 most of Luzon, most of Visayas, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands Within a 24-hour period beginning Sunday evening, August 2, Luis is also expected to trigger moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters) in Isabela, Quirino, and Aurora. Floods and landslides are possible in these provinces. PAGASA earlier said two to four tropical cyclones could develop within or enter PAR in August. – Rappler.com