The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration started tracking Wednesday a new potential cyclone—a shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) —off eastern Visayas.
PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said that while the SLPA has a small chance of becoming a cyclone at this time, it may gather strength as it is still at sea.
"Ang (low-pressure area) kahapon nawala. Ngayon meron nang nag-o-organize. Meron din monsoon trough affecting Luzon and Visayas," Javier said in an interview.
If the SLPA becomes a cyclone while in Philippine territory, it will be codenamed "Butchoy," the second cyclone in the Philippines for 2012.
Last week, tropical cyclone "Ambo" (Mawar) brought rain that left at least three people dead.
PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said that as of 2 a.m. Wednesday, the SLPA was estimated at 460 km east of Southern Visayas.
It also said a monsoon trough may bring rain to parts of Luzon and Visayas.
"The entire archipelago will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it added.
Light to moderate winds from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago, and the coastal waters will be slight to moderate.