New low pressure sighted off Eastern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — The weather bureau on Saturday spotted a new low pressure area (LPA) off the coast of Eastern Samar.

As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, the weather disturbance was located 165 kilometers east of Guiuan town.

The LPA has a large cloud band that extends from Eastern Visayas up to Caraga region, but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said it was unlikely for the LPA to intensify into a tropical depression.

But the new weather disturbance will bring cloudy skies and rain over the Visayas. The LPA is expected to move westward and cross the Visayas group of islands on Saturday.

Pagasa warned of possible effects of continuous rain such as floods and landslides.

Senior weather specialist Chris Perez said the weather in Caraga would improve on Saturday as the LPA crosses the Visayas.

The entire Mindanao is forecast to experience warm weather. Isolated thunderstorms are also expected in the late afternoon.

The northeast monsoon still persists in the northern part of Luzon. The tail end of a frontal system, or the clash of the cold and warm air, will continue to bring scattered rain over parts of Southern Luzon.

‘Amihan’

Parts of Luzon are experiencing sweater weather, with cooler mornings and nighttimes, due to surges of the northeast monsoon or “amihan.”

According to Pagasa, amihan brings cold winds from the northeast which causes rain over the eastern side of the country.

The onset of amihan was felt in early November, and was expected to persist until February, Perez told the Inquirer.

The lowest temperature recorded since the onset of amihan was 12 degrees Celsius near Baguio City this month.

Pagasa expects Baguio City to remain nippy at 24 to 14 degrees Celsius from Sunday to Wednesday.

Temperature in Metro Manila is forecast to be around 23 to 30 degrees Celsius on Sunday and 24 to 30 degrees Celsius from Monday to Wednesday.

Tagaytay City will also experience chilly weather with temperature expected to be between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius.