Tropical Depression Maysak heads for the Philippines by Kirsty McCabe
Tropical depression Maysak, which first developed in the South China Sea during the middle of last week, became the twenty-forth tropical storm of the season in the western Pacific.
The storm originated to the west of Mindaro, and first headed for Vietnam, packing winds of 35mph (55km/hr). It was feared that Maysak would bring further torrential rain to central Vietnam, causing flooding and severe disruption, but the system has now pivoted and started heading towards the southern Philippines.
The movement of Maysak is being influenced by the onset of the East Asian North East Monsoon. Around this time of year, the North East Monsoon kicks in, bringing relatively cool and dry air to the region. A cold front that swept down from southern China has shut off the wet and north as possible pathways for Maysak’s progression, hence the movement southeast towards the Philippines.
Maysak will be the second tropical depression to impact the Philippines in a week. On November 6th last week, Tropical Depression Rolly, which formed in the Philippine Sea, moved west, dumping heavy rain on some southern parts of the country, including the province of Cebu.
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