Tropical Storm Helen enters PAR, enhances monsoon

Tropical Storm Pulasan entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, and was renamed Helen by PAGASA.

Helen, the eighth tropical cyclone for the Philippines in 2024, is enhancing the southwest monsoon.

Tropical Depression Gener is nearing its exit from the PAR.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Helen had maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gusts of up to 105 kph, located 1,290 km east of extreme northern Luzon.

Gener, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts up to 70 kph, was located 355 km west of Bacnotan, La Union.

Although no tropical cyclone warning signals are in effect, heavy rains are expected over several regions due to the enhanced southwest monsoon until Friday.

Heavy to intense rains are particularly expected over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique until Wednesday evening.