Up to 17 tropical cyclones expected this year and next

Up to 17 tropical cyclones are expected to develop or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this month until January 2026, according to the weather bureau.

This August, two or three cyclones are anticipated within PAR, with numbers increasing to two to four in September and October, then dropping back down to two or three in November before tapering off to one to two in December and zero to one in January.

A low pressure area (LPA) being monitored outside the PAR has developed into a tropical depression at around 2 p.m. Friday but is not expected to have a direct effect on the country.

The prevailing southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains, particularly in several areas across Luzon.

PAGASA also noted that a tropical cyclone-like vortex could possibly develop in the eastern part of its monitoring domain from Aug. 1 to 7 but has a slim chance of developing into a cyclone and entering PAR from Aug. 8 to 14.