Cloudy skies to prevail over Visayas, Mindanao due to LPA, cold front

Satellite image/Himawari IR1

MANILA, Philippines — Several areas in Visayas and Mindanao will continue to experience cloudy skies and moderate to heavy rains due to the low-pressure area (LPA) and the tail end of a frontal system, state meteorologists said on Tuesday afternoon.

According to weather reports from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the LPA was last seen 160 kilometers southeast of General Santos City, while the tail end of a frontal system was spotted east of Bicol Region and the Visayas.

Pagasa warned of possible flash floods and landslides especially in areas most affected by the rains like the Eastern Visayas region, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga.

The rest of Visayas and Mindanao would only experience light to moderate rains in the coming hours, still due to the combined effects of the two weather systems mentioned.

Despite the strong rains, Pagasa said that the LPA is not expected to develop into a tropical depression.  The weather bureau also said no tropical cyclones are expected to form for the rest of the week.

Meanwhile, Luzon areas — including Southern Luzon and Bicol Region — are affected by the northeast monsoon which brings light scattered rains and cold weather, especially by early morning.

Temperatures in Luzon remain low, ranging at 22 to 28 degrees Celsius for Metro Manila, 17 to 27 degrees in Tuguegarao, 11 to 22 degrees for Baguio City, 19 to 26 degrees for Tagaytay, and 24 to 27 degrees for Legazpi.

Cold weather would also be felt in the Visayas and Mindanao, around 24 to 26 degrees Celsius in Tacloban, 24 to 28 degrees in Cebu City, 23 to 29 degrees in Iloilo, 25 to 31 degrees in Davao, and 24 to 29 degrees in Cagayan de Oro.

Gale warnings remain raised over the entire northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, northern and eastern waters of Eastern Visayas, western waters of Ilocos Region and Central Luzon, and the whole northeastern coastline of Palawan.

Fisherfolk using small boats are still discouraged from setting sail in these areas, as waves may reach heights of 2.8 meters to 4.5 meters. [ac]