MANILA - A low-pressure area outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical depression that will enhance the southwest monsoon, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said the tropical depression was last spotted 1,570 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 65 kph.

It is forecast to move north-northwest at 10 kph. PAGASA said there is a "slim chance" it will enter PAR, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon, locally called "habagat."

Should it enter PAR, the storm will be named Karding. It will be the fifth storm to hit the country this month after tropical cyclones Gardo, Henry, Inday, and Josie inundated large swaths of Luzon and Visayas.

Occasional rains are expected over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Cagayan Valley, Bicol region, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas due to the southwest monsoon.

The rest of the country will, meanwhile, experience isolated rainshowers due to localized thunderstorms.