Tropical depression forms outside Philippines, may enter area on November 12

A low-pressure area outside the Philippine area of responsibility has strengthened into a tropical depression, according to the Philippine weather bureau. It is currently located 1,620 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, with winds of 45 kilometers per hour. The tropical depression is moving west northwest at 35 kilometers per hour and may enter the Philippine area of responsibility on November 12. It will be named Ofel, the 15th tropical cyclone in the country this year. The depression is expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm within 48 hours and could make landfall in Northern or Central Luzon on November 14 or 15.