Agaton, First Storm of 2022, to Bring Holy Week Rains

Tropical Depression Agaton, the first storm of 2020, has formed off the country's Pacific coast and would bring wet weather to some parts of the country during Holy Week, PAGASA said Saturday.

At 4 a.m., Agaton was spotted 2,005 kilometers east of Mindanao packing maximum sustained winds of 45kph with 55 kph gusts and would likely remain stationary until Monday, because a second tropical storm, with international name Malakas, is right behind.

Malakas, which will be named Basyang if it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, could either steer Agaton southwestward, or closer to Eastern Visayas, or eastward away from the country, PAGASA said.

Agaton could dissipate into a low pressure area by Tuesday, it said.

From Saturday until Sunday early morning, Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte are forecasted to experience mdoerate to heavy rains with at times intense rains. Light to moderate rains with at times heavy rains are expected over Masbate, Sorsogon, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.

Metro Manila can expect fair weather conditions, with isolated rainshowers during the afternoons and evenings, said PAGASA Weather Specialist Ezra Bulquerin.