LPA east of Batanes now Tropical Depression Nimfa

Acor Arceo

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LPA east of Batanes now Tropical Depression Nimfa
Tropical Depression Nimfa is the Philippines' 14th tropical cyclone for 2019, and the 4th in September

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MANILA, Philippines – The low pressure area (LPA) east of Batanes developed into a tropical depression at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 17. It has been given the local name Nimfa.

In a briefing past 5 pm on Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression Nimfa is 695 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. It is almost stationary or hardly moving.

The tropical depression has maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It could become a tropical storm while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

There are no tropical cyclone wind signals raised. But PAGASA said Nimfa’s trough or extension will bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms to the following areas:

  • Cagayan Valley
  • Cordillera Administrative Region
  • Ilocos Region

PAGASA Weather Specialist Ezra Bulquerin said Nimfa’s movement will be erratic in the next 24 to 48 hours. It is unlikely to make landfall in the country.

Based on its latest forecast track, Nimfa will leave PAR on Saturday, September 21.

Forecast track of Tropical Depression Nimfa as of September 17, 2019, 5 pm. Image from PAGASA

Meanwhile, the other LPA that PAGASA has been monitoring is now 95 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales.

PAGASA said the LPA may hit the western coast of Central Luzon in the next 48 hours and eventually dissipate within Nimfa’s circulation.

The LPA had been pulling the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, which will continue to affect Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Western Visayas.

In its 4 pm bulletin, PAGASA said that due to the southwest monsoon and the LPA, moderate to heavy monsoon rain is expected in:

  • Central Luzon
  • Batangas
  • Occidental Mindoro

The southwest monsoon will also again trigger scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in:

  • Metro Manila
  • Bicol
  • rest of Calabarzon
  • rest of Mimaropa
  • Western Visayas

PAGASA warned that flash floods and landslides are possible in areas affected by Nimfa’s trough, the LPA, and the southwest monsoon. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

Nimfa is the Philippines’ 14th tropical cyclone for 2019, and the 4th in September. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2019)

The country gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, but since 2019 is an El Niño year, only 14 to 18 tropical cyclones are expected.

Below is the estimated number of tropical cyclones from September to December:

  • September – 2 to 4
  • October – 2 or 3
  • November – 1 or 2
  • December – 0 or 1

PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season last June 14. – Rappler.com

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Acor Arceo

Acor Arceo is the head of copy and editorial standards at Rappler. Trained in both online and TV newsrooms, Acor ensures consistency in editorial standards across all sections and also supervises Rappler’s coverage of disasters.