Rain showers in Luzon, Visayas seen due to 2 low pressure areas

MANILA, Philippines — Rainy weather will hit the final stretch of 2020, with two low pressure areas (LPA) bringing widespread showers across Luzon and parts of the Visayas on Monday.

One LPA was estimated at 40 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon province, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, while the other was seen at 190 km north northwest of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province.

Aside from the two weather disturbances, the northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan,” will continue to prevail over northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The government weather service on Sunday said Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Rizal and Quezon would have cloudy skies on Monday, with scattered to widespread rain and thunderstorms.

Pagasa warned against possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rain.

Meanwhile, the combined effects of the northeast monsoon and the trough, or extension of the LPA, will also bring cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms over Samar province and the rest of Luzon.

The rest of the country may also experience isolated rain showers due to local thunderstorms.

In an earlier advisory, Pagasa said both weather disturbances remained less likely to develop into a tropical depression until Tuesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council met on Sunday to monitor government responses to the two LPAs and the heightened northeast monsoon that have brought prolonged rainfall to the various parts of the country, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“We ask the public to continue following their local officials, monitor the latest Pagasa advisory, and be prepared in case there is an evacuation,” he said.