MANILA - A low pressure area off Luzon's northern tip has intensified into a tropical storm and may enhance the habagat or southwest monsoon, which has been bringing rains over large parts of Luzon and Visayas, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

The storm with international name Jongdari was 1,515 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and 80 kph gusts, PAGASA said.

Jongdari is unlikely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility, but may have a "minimal effect" on the habagat, PAGASA said. Storms Gardo, Henry, Inday and Josie earlier this month stirred monsoon rains, causing floods that affected thousands.

The habagat will bring light to moderate rains over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas, the weather office said.

The Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains also due to the habagat and the extension of the tropical storm, said PAGASA.

The rest of the country may experience localized thunderstorms, it said.

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