Tropical depression outside PAR intensifies into Tropical Storm Jangmi

MANILA, Philippines – The tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) intensified into a tropical storm on Wednesday, May 27.

It was given the international name Jangmi, a name contributed by South Korea which means “rose.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 am advisory on Wednesday that Tropical Storm Jangmi was last spotted 1,300 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao at 10 am.

It is moving north northwest at only 10 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

Based on Jangmi’s current speed, it is expected to enter PAR on Thursday evening, May 28. Once inside, it will be given the local name Domeng.

According to PAGASA, Jangmi is likely to strengthen further in the coming days. By the time it enters PAR, it might already be a severe tropical storm. It could also eventually reach typhoon status on Saturday, May 30.

PAGASA said the incoming tropical cyclone is “less likely” to make landfall in the Philippines, but its periphery or outer bands may trigger strong winds in extreme Northern Luzon — the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area — and prompt the raising of Signal No. 1.

Extreme Northern Luzon may also have moderate to rough sea conditions due to Jangmi during the weekend.

The weather bureau added that the tropical cyclone could enhance what would be the southwest monsoon or habagat beginning Saturday.

For now, the southwesterly windflow — the precursor of the southwest monsoon — continues to bring scattered rain and thunderstorms to Palawan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental.

Meanwhile, Jangmi’s trough or extension is still affecting the rest of Mindanao, also causing scattered rain and thunderstorms.

Other parts of the country are seeing generally fair weather, with just localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA is expected to soon declare the start of the rainy season, which typically begins in the second half of May or the first half of June. – Rappler.com