Tropical Storm “Jenny” is forecast to steadily intensify and become a severe tropical storm by today and a typhoon by Monday or Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Saturday.
In its 5 p.m. weather update, PAGASA said Jenny has maintained its strength as it accelerates west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea.
The state weather bureau said it is monitoring Jenny’s movement but added the tropical cyclone is not yet directly affecting the country.
Heavy rainfall may be experienced in Batanes and Babuyan Islands on Tuesday or Wednesday due to the proximity of the track forecast to Extreme Northern Luzon, PAGASA said.
“The current forecast scenario shows that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be hoisted over Extreme Northern Luzon tomorrow or on Monday in anticipation of the onset of tropical cyclone severe winds. However, the hoisting may happen earlier should there be changes in the forecast scenario,” it added.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or “habagat” may be enhanced by Jenny, resulting in possible occasional rains over the western portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas on Sunday.
Further, the potential enhancement of the monsoon will bring gusty conditions over the following areas not under any wind signal, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds:
· Sunday: Palawan, Romblon, most of Visayas, and Dinagat Islands
· Monday: Most of MIMAROPA and Visayas, and Dinagat Islands
PAGASA said Tropical Storm Jenny is forecast to move generally northwestward until Monday, while a west-northwestward turn towards Luzon Strait-Southern Taiwan area may take place on Tuesday.
“Further, 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,” the state weather bureau said.