A low pressure area that developed into a tropical depression named ''Pilandok'' on Sunday is expected to intensify to a tropical storm on Tuesday, the state weather bureau said Monday.

"'Pilandok'... (became) almost stationary over the Philippine Sea east of Extreme Northern Luzon for the next 36 hours before moving generally north northwestward for the remainder of the forecast period," it said.

It is located 1,145 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon with winds of up to 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph. ''Pilandok'' is moving west northwest at 10 kph.

Rains caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon will be heaviest in Ilocos Sur. La Union, Abra and Benguet where 100 to 200 millimeters are forecast.

On Tuesday, Metro Manila will experience better weather for the third day as it is not included in areas to receive 50 to 100 millimeters.

Areas forecast to experience that rainfall are Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija. Pampanga, Zambales and Bataan.

"It (Pilandok) is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday (02 September) afternoon or evening," the bureau added.

The state weather bureau also noted that ';Pilandok'' is "less likely to make landfall over the country and will remain far from the Philippine landmass"

"Pilandok is expected to remain as a tropical storm as it moves towards southern Japan," the bureau stressed. Robina Asido/PHS