Storm now a typhoon, could enhance habagat

Tropical cyclone Soulik has strengthened into a typhoon and will continue to enhance the habagat or southwest monsoon that is affecting western Luzon.

Before Tuesday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) tracked Soulik at 1,300 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon.

It is not expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility as it continues to move in a northwest direction.

The typhoon will continue to fuel the habagat that could bring occasional moderate to heavy rains over Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Babuyan islands and Batanes.

Residents in these areas, especially those living near rivers, low-lying areas and mountainsides, were advised to be on alert against possible flooding and landslide.

The habagat will also bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers.

Gale-force winds will cause rough seas in extreme Northern Luzon, while moderate to strong seas will prevail in the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA weather specialist Chris Perez said another tropical cyclone with the international name Cimaron was estimated at 2,595 km east of Northern Luzon early Tuesday.

Perez said Cimaron has a slim chance of entering the country’s area of responsibility but could also enhance the habagat in the next few days.