The Philippine Online Chronicles

The national weather bureau reported that tropical depression Mina has slowed down due to its interaction with another low pressure area (LPA) towards its eastern side, and another tropical depression northeast of Mina.

As of 4 am today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Mina was 320 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes and has slowed down to 7 kph. It is moving north northwest and packing maximum winds of 45 kph.

“Sa ngayon ay pwedeng lumakas ngunit hindi makakaabot ng typhoon category,” Pagasa forecaster Mario Palafox said.

Palafox also mentioned that an LPA currently being monitored in the West Philippine Sea may develop into a cyclone before the end of the month. Should this LPA become a cyclone, it will be codenamed “Nonoy.”

According to Pagasa, Mina enhanced the southwest monsoon, bringing more rains over Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Bicol area, particularly Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes will be experiencing widespread rains with thunderstorms. Meanwhile, rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila due to the intertropical convergence zone.

The advisory added that Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.