AN Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) would likely continue to bring cloudy skies with rains across some parts of Mindanao and the Visayas even as weather experts continue to keep an eye on two tropical storms near the Philippine area––one has intensified into typhoon category with maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kph while the other could enter today. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday said the weather system has brought thick clouds coming from the south of Asia, and could breed low-pressure areas or even cyclones. Pagasa said the ITCZ would bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, and the Visayas. Pagasa has been warning of cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao and eastern and central Visayas due to the ITCZ across Visayas and Mindanao since Sunday, showed a Mindanews report. Pagasa weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said the typhoon with international name “Goni” has maximum sustained winds of 130 kph and gustiness up to 160 kph and moving west northwest at 20 kph. Maintaining its speed and movement, Goni is forecast to enter the Philippine area today and would be called “Ineng,” the ninth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year and the second this month. She said the typhoon is expected to intensify but has slim chance of becoming a super typhoon category but Pagasa continues to monitor it. The track of Ineng is the same with typhoon Hanna’s which is not expected to make landfall in the country but would enhance the southwest monsoon. Hanna and the southwest monsoon factored in the recent downpours in the region this month. Nonot said that by Wednesday, rains are to be expected over parts of Visayas and southern Luzon due to typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon, and by Thursday, rains are expected in most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Meanwhile, the other typhoon with international name “Atsani” was approximately 4,055 km east of southern Luzon in the Pagasa radar yesterday. Nonot said the typhoon has a slim chance of entering the country but the agency continues to monitor it. If it enters, it would be called “Jenny” by Pagasa. (PNA)