Tropical Storm Pilandok could make a brief return to the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sunday as it moves near the country’s northeastern monitoring boundary, state meteorologists said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed Pilandok, internationally known as Krovanh, about 875 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon at 3 a.m.
Weather specialist Obet Badrina said the cyclone was close enough to the PAR boundary that another entry remained possible. Its projected track, however, indicated that any return could be short-lived, with the storm potentially leaving PAR again later Sunday.
Pilandok was forecast to head north and gradually lose strength, with PAGASA expecting it to weaken into a tropical depression by Monday.
While the cyclone was not forecast to directly hit the Philippines, its circulation could reinforce the southwest monsoon. The habagat remained the more immediate source of rain affecting western portions of the country.
Zambales, Bataan and parts of Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro faced the prospect of heavy rainfall. Elsewhere in Luzon, including Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Mimaropa and Calabarzon, cloudy conditions with light to moderate rain showers were possible.
Cloudy skies were also forecast over Western Visayas. Most other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were expected to see generally fair weather.
The latest outlook means Pilandok’s possible return to PAR would primarily be significant for its potential to sustain the habagat rather than because of a direct cyclone threat to the country.