New tropical depression forms east of Philippines but poses little threat
A low-pressure system has intensified into a tropical depression east of the Philippines and is not expected to make landfall.
On Monday afternoon a low-pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility developed into a tropical depression, positioned roughly 2,645 km east of Eastern Visayas and tracking west-southwest at about 35 km/h. It currently has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gusts up to 70 km/h. PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility of the system entering its jurisdiction, where it would be named Queenie, but Weather Specialist Charmagne Varilla indicated that a landfall is not anticipated.
The agency expects two or three tropical cyclones to form within or move into the area during September. Meanwhile, easterly winds are bringing isolated showers to northern Luzon, especially Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, while most of the country remains under generally fair conditions with occasional thunderstorms. A return of the southwest monsoon is possible by Wednesday, potentially affecting parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
Why it matters
Residents need to know the depression is unlikely to impact the Philippines, but monitoring continues for future storms.
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