Tropical Depression Jenny has now intensified into a tropical storm and is expected to further enhance the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat that is triggering more rains in the country.
In its 5 AM weather bulletin, PAGASA said TS Jenny was last seen at 1,145 km east of Central Luzon with a maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near its center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa. It is moving westward at 15 km/h.
PAGASA has not hoisted any tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) as of writing.
It added that TS Jenny is not directly affecting the country at this time but, due to the proximity of the track forecast to Extreme Northern Luzon, heavy rainfall over Batanes and Babuyan Islands may be experienced on Tuesday or Wednesday.
TCWS may be hoisted over Extreme Northern Luzon in anticipation of severe winds from Jenny on Sunday or Monday, However, PAGASA may raise TCWS earlier should there be changes in the forecast scenario.
Habagat
PAGASA also noted that TS Jenny may enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), bringing more rains over the western portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas on Sunday.
Gusty conditions may be felt in the following areas not under any TCWS, especially in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds:
- Sunday: Palawan, Romblon, most of Visayas, and Dinagat Islands; and
- Monday: Most of Mimaropa and Visayas, and Dinagat Islands.
Moderate to rough seas may occur over the coastal waters of Extreme Northern Luzon and northern mainland Cagayan on Monday due to Jenny.
"Mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels," PAGASA said.
According to the state weather burea, TS Jenny may move west northwestward then northwestward or north northwestward on Sunday until Monday.
On Tuesday, it is forecast to turn west northwestward towards the Luzon Strait-Southern Taiwan area.
"A landfall or close approach scenario over Extreme Northern Luzon or northeastern mainland Cagayan is not ruled out since these scenarios are within the forecast confidence cone," PAGASA said.
The tropical storm is also expected to intensify further and become a severe tropical storm on Sunday, then develop into a typhoon on late Monday or on Tuesday.
