Tropical depression Usman enters PAR on Christmas day

A tropical depression has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Christmas day.

Named Usman, the weather system earlier identified as a low pressure area was estimated to be located 955 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to PAGASA.

JUST IN: Pumasok na sa PHL Area of Responsibility ang Tropical Depression #UsmanPH. Base sa datos ng PAGASA kaninang 3PM, may lakas ito ng hanging aabot sa 45 kph at bugsong hanggang 60 kph. Kikilos ito pa-Northwest sa bilis na 20 kph. | via @IMReadyPH pic.twitter.com/iNj6OOvrkO

— GMA News (@gmanews) December 25, 2018

The state weather bureau said the tropical depression packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kilometers per hour.

Usman is moving northwest at 20 kilometers an hour.

Earlier data from Metra Weather showed Usman may first affect Samar, then the Bicol region pm Thursday. It may also impact the Caraga region and Central Visayas.

Visayas, parts of Bicol, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Metro Manila may see rains on Friday. The whole of Luzon may see a rainy Saturday.

PAGASA also said the northeast monsoon is affecting extreme northern Luzon. Meanwhile, the LPA spotted left of Palawan has exited the PAR. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/JST, GMA News