Low pressure area spotted

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather service is monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday afternoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 p.m. weather update that the low-pressure area was spotted 1,700 kilometers east of Visayas.

Pagasa weather specialist Ana Clauren, however, said there was a slim chance that the weather disturbance could develop into a tropical depression.

“But because it is still over the ocean, we’re not ruling out the possibility that it will change that’s why we’re still monitoring [the LPA],” she said.

Three weather systems are currently affecting the country.

The tail end of a frontal system, or the convergence of cold air from the northeast and hot air from Pacific Ocean, is bringing moderate to heavy rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Aurora and Quezon provinces. These areas were heavily hit by Typhoon “Ulysses,” (international name: Vamco) which barreled through the country on Nov. 11.

The northeast monsoon or “amihan” was still being felt in Northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon. Pagasa said that amihan brought cold and dry air.

Thunderstorms will be experienced in parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to easterlies, or winds coming from the eastern part of the country.