Talim to enter PAR today, but landfall unlikely

A tropical storm with international name Talim is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this morning but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said it is unlikely to make landfall in any part of the country.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Talim was estimated at 1,745 kilometers east of Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 80 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph.

Talim is projected to move west-northwest at 20 kph, according to PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio.

It will be given the local name Lannie once inside the Philippine area of responsibility.

PAGASA weather forecaster Obet Badrina said Talim, which means sharp, is one of the names contributed by the Philippines to the list of tropical cyclones of the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization.

The weather disturbance is expected to intensify further as it moves west-northwest toward the general direction of extreme Northern Luzon and Taiwan around midweek.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said a trough of a low pressure area off Eastern Samar would bring light to moderate rains over Visayas, Bicol region, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Palawan in the next 24 hours.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience isolated thunderstorms today.

The low pressure area was spotted at 505 km northeast of Borongan City as of 3 p.m. yesterday.

Badrina said the weather system has a slim chance of intensifying into a cyclone.

Beginning tomorrow until Wednesday, the trough of the low pressure area will bring light to moderate rains over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, Aurelio said.

Visayas and Mindanao will have good weather apart from isolated thunderstorms until Wednesday, he said.

Last week, Tropical Storm Kiko brought rains over Northern Luzon.

Up to four cyclones were predicted to enter the country this month.