THE low pressure area east of Central Luzon has entered the Philippine area of responsibility and has been named Tropical Depression “Jenny,” said the state weather bureau Friday, September 29, 2023.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, the center of Jenny was located at 1,400 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h), gusts of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Jenny was moving westward at 20 km/h.
No tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) has been hoisted as of Friday evening, September 29, 2023, as Pagasa said that Tropical Depression Jenny is not directly affecting the country.
“However, considering the proximity of the tropical cyclone to land from the forecast track, this may result heavy rainfall over Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next five days,” said Pagasa.
It added that the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) may be enhanced by Jenny beginning on Sunday, October 1, resulting in possible occasional rains over the western portions of central and southern Luzon.
“As such, the possibility of issuing a weather advisory for Southwest Monsoon is not ruled out,” said Pagasa.
It also said that based on the current forecast scenario, hoisting of TCWS over areas in Northern Luzon may begin on Sunday in anticipation of the onset of tropical cyclone severe winds. But it may happen earlier should there be changes in the forecast scenario.
“The possible enhancement of Southwest Monsoon may result in gusty conditions beginning on Sunday over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas. The gusty conditions are more likely in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds,” said Pagasa.
The weather bureau forecast Jenny to track generally westward or west northwestward until Saturday, September 30, before turning further north over the Philippine Sea east of northern and central Luzon.
On the forecast track, there will be a close approach over the Batanes area by Wednesday, October 4, and landfall scenario over Batanes-Babuyan or northeastern mainland Cagayan is not ruled out since this is within the forecast confidence cone.
Jenny was also forecast to steadily intensify throughout the forecast period and may reach tropical storm category Saturday afternoon, September 30. It may be upgraded into a typhoon category by Wednesday, October 4, during its close approach over Batanes area, said Pagasa. (LMY)