New Tropical Depression Develops Off Batanes

(UPDATE) The low pressure area spotted off Batanes has developed into a tropical depression, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

The new tropical depression, named Gorio, was spotted northeast of Itbayat in Batanes. It is the seventh storm to enter the Philippines this year.

By 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Gorio was 800 kilometers northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, PAGASA said. It will continue to move further away from the PAR but is expected to intenstify into tropical storm within the next 12 hours.

PAGASA earlier said that up to three storms are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this August.